Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann has now confirmed reports that Manchester United were indeed interested in signing him during the recent summer transfer window.

It has not been a secret that the Red Devils are concerned about the poor and wavering form of their number one keeper David De Gea over the last few years. No longer the reputed giant he once was in goal, De Gea has been guilty of committing several errors and blunders in recent years and his passing or lack thereof also doesn’t suit the style of play that new manager Erik ten Hag wants to impose at the Old Trafford.

Manchester United also parted ways with Dean Henderson after loaning him out to Nottingham Forest this summer. They were on the verge of landing a new custodian in goal and Bachmann was their primary target to reinforce that position.

Club executives held talks with Watford on multiple occasions. However, as is evident by now, a deal was far from being materialised between the two clubs. United were interested in exploring the idea of signing Bachmann on loan while the Championship side wanted to sell him permanently.

As a result, United had to turn their attention towards the alternative option and Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka arrived on loan on deadline day. He has been signed on a one-year loan deal with the option to buy and make the deal permanent next summer.

Speaking to Austrian outlet LAOLA1 Redaktion, Bachmann said that it was widely known that United were interested in him and there was contact for several weeks. Even though a move to Old Trafford did not eventually materialise, Bachmann said that he didn’t have any regrets.

“There have been talks with Manchester United. That’s no secret. Of course, it’s great to be associated with such a club. It was also a serious story. There were negotiations between the clubs and of course between me and the clubs.

“It went back and forth for a relatively long time. The first contact was made at the end of May, it lasted until mid-July. It wasn’t like a club or I said no, you just couldn’t agree on anything. That happens in football,” he said.

Bachmann also said that he’s well aware that he would have been the understudy to David De Gea had he moved to United this summer. On his part, he would not have made peace with being an option on the bench.