Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed that he tried luring Cesc Fabregas to the club during his time in charge.

The Spain international was heavily linked with a return to the Premier League in 2013, before opting to stay in his homeland for another campaign with boyhood side Barcelona.

Moyes, who lasted less than a full season at Old Trafford, opened talks with Fabregas over a potential move at the time, only to be knocked back before a deal could be struck between the two parties.

"We thought we were taking him to Manchester United," the 52-year-old told Sky Sports News. "We spoke to him at the time, but unfortunately it didn't happen.

"Manchester United are always in for the top players, we were in for the top players at the time. They were in for the top players recently and they will be in for them again."

Fabregas moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2014 for a fee in the region of £27m, helping the West London outfit to the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge.