Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann has said he was 'very close' to joining Manchester United in the summer.
The Manchester Evening News revealed in May that United were interested in signing Bachmann as a backup option to offset the departure of Dean Henderson, but he remained at Watford and Martin Dubravka was signed on loan instead.
Dubravka was signed from Newcastle on deadline day and Bachmann has become first-choice at Watford this season.
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The Austrian is happy that he stayed at Watford, but he admitted he was 'very close' to making the switch to Old Trafford.
“It was very, very, very close. Really very, very close,” Bachmann told Heute about United. “In the end, I’m glad things turned out the way they are. The new coach really wanted to keep me. I’m happy, I’m a top performer at Watford now.”
Bachmann, 28, has started in every match for Watford in the Championship this term and he's kept nine clean sheets.
Dubravka was expected to play in Europa League matches and domestic cup fixtures this season, but Erik ten Hag has preferred to play David de Gea, which has limited the Newcastle loanee to making just one appearance for United.
The Slovakian started against Aston Villa in the League Cup in November and he started a friendly against Cadiz last week.
Newcastle have the option to recall Dubravka in January and Eddie Howe is set for talks with the player about his future.
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