Sir Alex Ferguson 'wanted Ilkay Gündoğan to replace Paul Scholes' | OneFootball

Ilkay Gündoğan was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s final targets before the Manchester United boss retired in 2013, according to former coach Rene Meulensteen.

Ferguson called time on his coaching career after steering United to a 13th Premier League title in the 2012-13 season, while it was also midfielder Paul Scholes’ final year at Old Trafford.

Meulensteen – a first-teach coach under Ferguson at the time – admitted then-Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gündoğan was earmarked as a potential replacement for Scholes.

“If Fergie had carried on then we would have added some more quality, probably some more energy,” he told the Evening Standard.

“I wouldn’t say it was an ageing squad, it was a mature squad. I’m sure if Fergie would have stayed thestability would’ve been there for another title challenge.

“We were looking at Gündoğan from Dortmund and (Marco) Reus at that time. We felt he was like Scholes, someone who thinks quick and has tempo.”

United finished seventh the season after Ferguson and Scholes retired, with a difficult campaign seeing David Moyes sacked after less than a year in charge.

Gündoğan then signed for fierce rivals Manchester City in 2016.