Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward met with agents for former Lille defender Gabriel before his move to Arsenal.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had wanted to revitalise his side by strengthening a number of areas, one being in central defence.
And Gabriel was on United's radar, to the point where his representatives met club chief Woodward over a potential move, according to RMC Sport.
In ended in failure, however, with the 22-year-old opting to join Arsenal, while there was also interest from Napoli and Paris St-Germain.
To rub it in further, the defender was a star against United in their recent encounter - which ended 1-0 to the Gunners.
