Man Utd’s ‘missed out’ XI: 11 players the Red Devils didn’t sign in the summer transfer window

Manchester United ended the summer 2022 transfer window with six new additions to Erik ten Hag’s squad.

However, there was no shortage of players linked with a move to the Red Devils over the summer and the figure well surpassed 100 in terms of reported targets.

In truth, the total is probably closer to 150, meaning there were some top-quality players who didn’t complete moves to United despite the speculation.

There were so many, in fact, we’ve put together a whole team of stars who were strongly linked with a switch to Old Trafford this summer, only for a move to not materialise.

Kevin Trapp

The goalkeeper confirmed via a statement on Instagram that there had been a ‘written offer’ from United, but he decided to remain with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Denzel Dumfries

One of the numerous players with links to the Eredivisie who was targeted by Ten Hag this summer, but United were ultimately put off by Inter Milan’s asking price. Sergino Dest and Kyle Walker-Peters were also linked.

Jurrien Timber

One of the Ajax players Ten Hag supposedly was interested in, but reports in the Dutch media claimed ex-United manager Louis van Gaal warned the defender against making the move to Old Trafford.

Pau Torres

The United hierarchy actually favoured a move for the Spanish international ahead of Lisandro Martinez, as per the Telegraph. But this was a rumour that featured less frequently the more the window continued.

Nicolas Tagliafico

Tyrell Malacia’s relatively early signing meant left-back was a position that didn’t generate too many links, although one player who was a target was Tagliafico, according to the Daily Mail.

Frenkie de Jong

The midfielder was among United’s main summer targets, but a transfer never materialised. There were always questions surrounding the player’s desire, with De Jong stating earlier in the window he wanted to remain at Barcelona, while there was also the long-running saga about the deferred wages he is owed by the Catalan club.

Milinkovic-Savic

The Lazio central midfielder was a reported target in August after United’s dire start to the campaign. The Telegraph claimed he was identified as a potential signing when it became clear that De Jong’s arrival looked unlikely.

Adrien Rabiot

At one stage in the window, this transfer looked all but secured, but BBC Sport reported in August that the move collapsed due to the midfielder’s wage demands.

Cody Gakpo

By the end of the window, the Dutch winger had been linked with a host of Premier League sides, but it was United who first were mentioned with a potential move for the PSV Eindhoven winger, although Antony’s signing ended that particular rumour.

Darwin Nunez

The striker was linked with United more in the early weeks of the window than Liverpool were, although he ultimately signed for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Marko Arnautovic was another player who looked set to join the Red Devils, only for the deal to collapse.

Christian Pulisic

Sky Sports claimed United were interested in taking the US international on loan from Chelsea, with it even suggested at one stage that Harry Maguire could head in the opposite direction.