Manchester United 'turned down chance to sign Rais M'Bolhi'

Manchester United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Algeria's formidable World Cup goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi after taking him on trial four years ago.

M'Bolhi was hugely impressive as the unfancied Africans progressed to the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time ever, before losing 2-1 to Germany after extra time of their second-round match.

The 28-year-old spent a week at United's Carrington training ground around the time that Sir Alex Ferguson was looking at long-term alternatives to Edwin van der Sar, according to the Daily Mail.

However, M'Bolhi did not quite do enough to persuade Ferguson and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele that he was the answer, and ended up joining CSKA Sofia, where he still plays his football, while the Red Devils opted for their current understudy, Anders Lindegaard.

Newcastle United were also thought to be interest in signing M'Bohli at the time.