Manchester United passed on a number of deadline day transfers, failing to sign a player on the final day of the summer window for the first time in seven years.
Tuesday’s transfer deadline day passed without any late incomings at Old Trafford having signed three midfielders this summer in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.
The club also recruited young winger Tynan Thompson from Tottenham with teenage midfielder Cristian Orozco arriving from Colombia.
United were expected to sign another left-back with Luke Shaw now their only specialist option in that position. While the England international started every Premier League game last season, his well-documented fitness issues over the years could leave United light as they fight on four fronts this season.
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Lewis Hall was their top target with United likely to attempt to sign him next summer. Two temporary solutions were considered on deadline day with the club ‘making a check’ on Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri, The Athletic report.
The former Wolves star had been offered a few days ago with United revisiting it on deadline day in what would have been a very rare deal between the two Manchester clubs.
City informed their neighbours a loan would only be possible with an obligation to buy clause that would reach ‘several tens of millions’, with United declining to take things any further.
United also contacted super-agent Jorge Mendes over a possible move for Barcelona star Alejandro Balde but talks over a deal for the 22-year-old did not progress.
After initial interest from United emerged last month, Balde decided he would stay and fight for his place despite slipping down to third place in the pecking order under Hansi Flick.
Balde was recalled to the Barcelona squad against Rayo Vallecano but is still to play a single minute this season. 19-year-old Xabi Espart has started each of Barcelona’s three matches at left-back with Joao Cancelo also in the mix after returning to the Camp Nou on a free transfer this summer.
United had hoped to wrap up a deal for Leicester City starlet Louis Page. The clubs had been in talks since early August and while those negotiations reached an advanced stage, no deal was struck with Leicester demanding a fee of £12million plus £3m in add-ons.
Joshua Zirkzee meanwhile was the subject of a late loan offer from Everton only for United to reject the offer.
The club were willing to part ways with the Dutchman this summer and while he was keen on the move for Merseyside, United blocked the move as there was not sufficient time to bring in a replacement.
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