Manchester United considered signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan before he joined Borussia Dortmund with Sir Alex Ferguson a fan of his ability, according to his former assistant Rene Meulensteen.

Mkhitaryan is thriving under Jose Mourinho after a £27million summer move from the Bundesliga club but his arrival at Old Trafford could have happened much sooner had the stars aligned under Ferguson.

Meulensteen, who formed part of Ferguson’s backroom team during his pomp, says he remembers watching Mkhitaryan at Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk before Ferguson decided against a bid because he did not think the midfielder was ready.

Speaking to talkSPORT the Dutchman said: “When he was much younger, before he joined Dortmund, we were actually looking at him. I remember the name very clearly!

“We felt he was not ready but he is, in my opinion, a typical Man United player. He is quick, he is creative, he has got assists in him, he has got goals in him.

“I am really, really pleased he has found his feet and is performing to his best.”