Jose Mourinho wanted to sign Renato Sanches for Manchester United but was appointed too late, according to the manager.
The 18-year-old joined Bayern Munich earlier this summer in a deal worth an initial €35 million, a price which could rise to €80m dependent on performances.
Mourinho has confirmed United's interest in Sanches, who went on to be named Best Young Player at Euro 2016 as Portugal won their first ever major tournament, and predicts success for the former Benfica star.
He told Sport TV: "I arrived late. I signed in May, we started talking a week before, but completely out of the process. If I had arrived earlier, I’d fight for him.
"Manchester United watched Renato many times and maybe I did it even more. In so much time at home, I watched many Benfica and Portuguese league games, I got to know the boy better with time.
"He's in a big club, in a league where he’ll certainly be the champion. The club have players of very high level which belong to the structure, a little like Benfica."
> ..... - Goal