Manchester United had a successful transfer window but several talented footballers were missed.
Five key additions were made by Ineos, with almost every weak spot in the squad reinforced with Manuel Ugarte being the final addition of the window.
Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui bolstered the defence after arriving from Bayern Munich, while Leny Yoro promises to be a superb purchase for Manchester United.
Joshua Zirkzee also arrived, adding some much-needed muscle up front along with genuine quality in depth.
Despite the strong window, other players would have been excellent additions too, here are the five best United missed out on…
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Desire Doue – PSG
The first name on this list is the talented French wonderkid Desire Doue who swapped Rennes for PSG this summer.
However, before he moved to the Ligue 1 holders, Manchester United were firmly in the running, with this miss being one we could rue in years to come.
The versatile forward could have been perfect to replace Bruno Fernandes long-term in the No.10 position for United.
He has already impressed in a PSG shirt which makes missing out on him even more painful.
Joao Neves – PSG
Second on the list is Doue’s PSG teammate, Joao Neves who was Ineos’ number-one midfield target before Ugarte.
The teenage sensation was a player who seemed destined for Old Trafford, with fans thinking Bruno may be playing a role in his signing.
Neves has instantly proven himself for PSG and even assisted twice on his Ligue 1 debut.
A painful miss, but ultimately Ugarte is a far better fit alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
Jarrad Branthwaite – Everton
Centre-back is a position Manchester United needed open heart surgery on this summer, and that is exactly what happened.
Despite adding De Ligt and Yoro, Ineos ultimately missed out on Erik ten Hag’s top target, Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Everton defender was priced out of a £70m move by his club, something which cannot have left him too thrilled.
Perhaps United will return for Branthwaite at some point when his crazy price tag is dropped.
Michael Olise – Bayern Munich
Name number four is Bayern Munich’s new key man on the right, Michael Olise – who happens to be a boyhood Manchester United fan.
Olise was a player United were confident of signing, but he headed to Munich instead.
Before this, United did try to hijack Olise’s transfer, but it ultimately did not work and he is now tearing it up in Germany.
Ebere Eze – Crystal Palace
The last name on our list is one barely linked, but Ebere Eze is a phenomenal talent and United will rue not triggering his release clause to sign him.
Crystal Palace’s main man has already shown magic for the Eagles during the first few weeks of the season and next summer he could have countless suitors.
Eze could be a game-changer for whoever signs him, and therefore it’s a player we would love to see United head back in for next summer.
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