Manchester United wanted to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, says Phil Neville

Manchester United were interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, according to former coach Phil Neville.

Matuidi, 27, was part of ex-manager David Moyes' plans to overhaul the United squad in the summer of 2014. The Scot however didn't make it that far and was sacked after only eight months in charge in April that year.

During a period before that when United were also heavily linked with Germany international Toni Kroos, the club scouted the France international, only for him to end speculation over his future by signing a new four-year deal with the Ligue 1 champions in February 2014.

Speaking after Matuidi's impressive performance against Chelsea in their Champions League last 16 clash, Neville told BBC Radio Five Live: "We wanted to sign him. We had heard his contract was running out and we were really interested in him. Then he signed a contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

"We were looking at it at Manchester United last year to inject a little bit of energy. He runs from box to box and he carried the team forward simply through his energy on that left channel."

Manchester City and Arsenal were also credited with interest in Matuidi before he penned a new long-term deal at Parc des Princes.

The France international was initially a doubt for the game against Chelsea after he picked up a knock in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Caen, forcing him off in the second half.

But he showed no signs of that injury on Tuesday, providing a constant threat down the left of midfield against Jose Mourinho's side and supplying the excellent cross that Edinson Cavani headed home to level PSG in Paris.