Fergie had planned 'absolute best player on planet' hiring for Man U this season

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has criticised the champions for failing to make a marquee signing this summer and said that former manager Alex Ferguson had an eye on one of the absolute best players on the planet.

According to the Mirror, the Old Trafford giants were in a for a host of big-name players, including Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas while there was also a suggestion they wanted to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back from Real Madrid.

Marouane Fellaini, signed for 27million pounds from Everton, was the only arrival for the first-team squad, and United were criticised for their perceived failure to deliver in the first transfer window after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, the report said.

Phelan suggested that at least one major signing would have arrived in the summer had Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill, who also stepped down after last season, stayed on, the report added.

He also said that if Sir Alex and David Gill had still been the bosses, then there would have been a star signing, although he would not name the player.