Manchester United's secret reason for refusing to sign Ivan Toney revealed

Manchester United passed on a deal for Ivan Toney in the transfer window - because they weren't satisfied with his pressing.

The Red Devils headed into the summer with a new forward at the top of their wishlist. They were linked with a host of strikers before settling on Joshua Zirkzee, who arrived in a £36million deal from Bologna back in July.

They were among a number of clubs who were credited with an interest in Toney, 28, both before and after Zirkzee's arrival as the England star sought a transfer elsewhere - but United had concerns over a move.

Toney didn't make United's final shortlist in their search for a striker to support Rasmus Hojlund, although he was considered initially.

As outlined by ESPN, Toney simply didn't fit the profile for striker that Ten Hag was looking for due to the fact that, in the eyes of the United boss, he does not press defenders energetically enough.

Toney was linked with numerous top Premier League clubs before the summer, including Arsenal and Chelsea. Neither, though, attempted to sign him from Brentford prior to last month's deadline. The Bees were always expecting to sell their prized asset given he had entered the final year of his contract and Toney was subsequently sold to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

Mirror Football revealed shortly after Toney had put pen to paper in the Middle East that he would bank a staggering £403,000-a-week including bonuses after moving for a substantial £40million transfer fee. He has since scored twice in his first two league matches for Al-Ahli, who are currently sixth in the Saudi Pro League standings.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee made the perfect start to his Manchester United career by netting the winner on his debut against Fulham at the start of August. However, the Netherlands international has failed to find the net in the five matches he's featured in since.

United were boosted by the return of Hojlund in their last match - a 0-0 stalemate with Crystal Palace - to provide additional competition upfront. The Dane missed the opening four games of the new Premier League season with a hamstring injury before featuring in the final quarter of an hour at Selhurst Park on Saturday night.