£5m star who snubbed Manchester United in summer now looks to have made a brilliant decision

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Manchester United were unable to haul in all the club’s transfer targets in the summer.

Last summer Manchester United made the decision to move on from goalkeeper David de Gea, and he was not the only exit in his position.

Dean Henderson was sold and Jack Butland‘s loan ended, which meant that in addition to Andre Onana being signed as the club’s new first choice goalkeeper, Manchester United were also looking for back-ups.

Altay Bayindir was one player who joined up – with Zion Suzuki a player the club targeted and missed out on.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2024, ins, outs, loan moves

Zion Suzuki turned down Manchester United move

Zion Suzuki was the surprise prospect being targeted for a move to Manchester United in the summer.

Japanese publication Sponichi claimed Manchester United agreed a £5 million fee with Urawa Red Diamonds in July – however, this was not enough to get the deal done.

Suzuki, a Japan international at just 21, was worried about his prospects of first team football at a club where he might not even have been second choice.

He chose to sign with Belgian side Sint-Truiden instead, and has established himself as the number one at the Jupiler Pro League club.

Suzuzki decision looks smart

It’s pretty unlikely Zion Suzuki will be regretting his choice to turn to Manchester United right now.

He has made 16 appearances for Sint-Truiden to date, racking up 1,440 minutes of football.

If he had signed for Manchester United, there is a very high likelihood he would not have played a single minute.

This is the fate which has befallen Turkey international Altay Bayindir, a player with more experience, who was signed for the same fee which Manchester United had assigned for Suzuki.

United fans are feeling pretty sorry for Bayindir right now, with manager Erik ten Hag totally reliant on Onana.

Suzuki told Het Nieuwsblad earlier this season: “It’s too early for Man United now! I now know from many Japanese predecessors that STVV is an ideal first step towards Europe. Later I want to work in the Premier League.”

As difficult as it is for any player to turn down Manchester United, currently it does look like he has made the right decision for his career.