Man Utd missed out on blockbuster transfer with player turning down move
Manchester United went on a major recruitment push in the summer transfer window but failed in their attempts to bring one of manager Erik ten Hag's top targets to Old Trafford
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorWhile Manchester United enjoyed a successful summer window, it has now emerged they missed out on one of Erik ten Hag's top targets.
Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui all arrived at Old Trafford this summer. Those signings appeared to significantly boost Ten Hag's squad, though it has been a mixed start to the season.
They opened their campaign with a narrow win over Fulham, before losing to Brighton and Liverpool. As well as the five players successfully brought to Manchester, the Red Devils were keen to add others to their squad.
One of those players was understood to be Xavi Simons, with United heavily linked with the PSG star. Instead though the Dutchman would rejoin Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on a season-long loan.
Fresh reports now claim that United went as far as sounding out his availability from PSG. Those conversations took place before Euro 2024, where Simons featured for the Netherlands in their run to the semi-finals.
The 21-year-old joined PSG from Barcelona in 2022, but has struggled for game-time at the Parc des Princes. His situation drew United's interest, though Simons opted to turn down a move to Old Trafford.
Instead, he preferred a return to Germany which resulted in his loan move to Leipzig. Upon his return to the Bundesliga side, Simons made his reasons for picking Marco Rose's side clear.
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"I'm delighted to be here again. I love winning. I love going out and giving everything on the pitch. The club knows that and has the same DNA. It's the ideal place here to develop further and make the next step," he said.
"I wanted to make the best decision for my career, and that's what I've done. I can take the next step here. It was important for me that the team remains together. Now is the time to deliver."
While he was likely left disappointed by Simons' rejection, Ten Hag has insisted he is pleased with the make-up of his squad. But he has also insisted that it will take time for his new players to bed in.
"We have to build a new team. I explained this so many times, also on the Friday in the press conference. We will build this new team. We have young players. Also, now, we have players to build in, in the season," he said after the defeat to Liverpool.
"Today I think we had two players, three players, first start of the season, and they didn't play 90 minutes. We will be fine, but it's clear we have to improve. But in the end of the season, I'm quite confident, again, we will have a big chance to lift another trophy."
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