Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel had once been transfer targets for Liverpool, Graeme Souness has revealed

Graeme Souness has revealed Liverpool missed out on signing Manchester United greats Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel when he was in charge at the club.

Souness also confirmed that Schmeichel - who won five Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League in his Old Trafford career - was willing to pay for his own travel and accommodation when he spoke to the club because he was a big Liverpool fan.

The Schmeichel deal fell through because Souness did not want a "rookie goalkeeper" as he sought to replace long-serving Anfield stopper Bruce Grobbelaar with David James.

He was also recommended Cantona after Liverpool played Auxerre in 1991 but turned the French striker down because he felt he already had too many players over the age of 30 in his squad.

"I missed out on two players who went on to become Manchester United legends," Souness told The Sunday Times.

"Ron Yeats, the chief scout then, told me there was a young Danish goalkeeper - Peter Schmeichel - who was a Liverpool fan and willing to pay his own travel and hotel in exchange for some time with us.

Souness was Liverpool manager from 1991 to 1994

"I was trying to ease out Bruce Grobbelaar and that was proving a hassle, plus I had just signed David James, so I thought I could do without a rookie goalkeeper.

And he added: "Eric Cantona was another I missed out on. We played Auxerre at home and Michel Platini came to see me afterwards. He said he had a player for me, a problem boy but a proper player.

"It was Cantona, but I said the last thing I needed was another problem player. I had 30-pluses I was trying to get out, so I didn't need more hassle. I said I was looking for something else and so it was no thanks."

Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield live on Sky Sports Premier League at 11.30am on Saturday.