Giggs: I tried to convince Anderson to join Man United this summer, but was told to stop bothering him

Giggs said on the Rio Ferdinand Interview podcast that he tried to persuade Elliot Anderson to join Manchester United this summer, but was told by the player not to bother him.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs said he met Anderson during a summer holiday and attempted to convince the midfielder to join United, only to be asked not to disturb him anymore.

Anderson impressed for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last season and also played an important role in Tuchel's England World Cup squad, with England eventually finishing third.

Anderson then joined Manchester City, Manchester United's local rivals, for a transfer fee of up to £116 million ($154 million).

Giggs said the two met by chance while playing golf in Portugal, giving him an opportunity to try to persuade Anderson to join Manchester United.

Giggs said: "That was basically a few days before he went to the World Cup. I was trying to persuade him the whole time."

"At first he didn't know how to respond, but later he relaxed a little."

Anderson was initially polite, but his attitude changed after they had played the first few holes.

Giggs recalled: "For the first four or five holes, we kept running into each other on the course. Eventually he said to me: 'Can you let me be quiet and stop bothering me?'"

"'Can you let me just play golf properly? You're going to get yourself into trouble doing this.'"

In August, Anderson chose to join Manchester City, becoming part of the midfield rebuild under Maresca.

Joining Anderson at Manchester City were Enzo Fernandez, who moved from Chelsea for a fee of up to £125 million, and 18-year-old Bouaddi, who joined from Lille for a transfer fee of £81 million.

Manchester United signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea for a fee of £50 million, Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million, and Baleba from Brighton for £70 million.

Ferdinand, who played alongside Giggs at Manchester United and won six Premier League titles with the club, added: "To get these deals done, you have to try every possible way. Seriously, it is crazy."

"Clearly, the asking prices were outrageous. They were astronomical figures. Manchester United did not have the budget to pay that kind of price."