He was one of the men Jose Mourinho identified to spearhead a title bid - but like so many of the summer's transfer targets, Ivan Perisic didn't join Manchester United.
The Croatian winger was a star of the World Cup and scored one of the goals that knocked England out of the competition in the semi-final stage.
He seemed a perfect United signing, but now the Evening Standard claim to know why a deal wasn't struck.
Despite being available from Inter Milan for £48million, United money men such as vice chairman Ed Woodward were only willing to stump up £45m for the 29-year-old.
That's Mourinho losing out on a player he had sought for most of the summer transfer window for the sake of £3m.
The Standard claim United top brass wouldn't go that little bit further because of the Croatian's lack of star appeal as well as his age.
United had just stumped up mega money for another 29-year-old who played in almost the same position as Perisic in Alexis Sanchez - and they didn't want to do it again.
Back in August Mourinho told friends he would have walked away from any other club over his lack of backing in the transfer market.
The Special One failed to secure the centre-back he craved in the final few weeks of the summer window, and has been left frustrated.
Mourinho missed out on the likes of Leicester’s Harry Maguire and Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld as chief Ed Woodward was reluctant to meet their hefty price tags.
He is said to have told friends he would have walked out in protest.
Mourinho and Woodward’s relationship cooled over the poor summer transfer window, which saw the Reds sign just three players, despite the United boss insisting they needed more to push for the title.
Brazil star Fred was signed for £52million at the start of June, but the only other summer arrivals were £19m teenage defender Diogo Dalot from Porto and back-up keeper Lee Grant, signed from Stoke for £1.5m.
As well as Maguire and Alderweireld, Mourinho had also identified Perisic as a summer target, yet Woodward was unable to get any of those deals done.
Leudekmsty
272
Someone asked me “How do you know Manchester United is the Biggest club in the world” I said; 1. “AC milan dint qualify 4 europe n no one talks about it 2. Dortmund is 3points 4rm bottom no one talks about it 3. Monaco has started so badly this year no one noticed 4. Madrid lost 2consecutive la liga games it wasn’t on the front pages of news papers 5. PSG are 8points behind leaders marseille I doubt if many knows of this 6. Everton have won just 1match this season no one cares(neither do I) 7. Sceiszny of Arsenal was shown Red too last week but if u dint watch d game u wont hear of it. 8. Bayern Munich has lost back to back and they will not make headline. BUT as little as MAN UTD players eating in a restaurant gets on everyones lips or loses a Single Match. Anything we Do makes headline and sell papers”. Cheer up Guys you are part of the Biggest club in the World.... #Mufc👹👹👹
ChloeSam18
157
Sometimes I’m thinking myself does Jose really know his best players?? He got the players he wants from his 1st to 2nd season in OT. He have Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Bailly, Lindelof & Sanchez. But how often he used all of them (except Pogba & Lukaku). He buy Sanchez & he buy again Fred, but count how many times Fred started this season? Then he wants to buy CB which he already had Bailly, Lindelof, Jones & Smalling. So which CB again he needs?? These players is just need a confidence & consistency in the field. And that can develop through the regular playing time. Use them regularly- they’re money. Maybe that’s what makes Ed Woodward refused to continue splash the cash on the players where you already have. Because he’s not utilise all his players! €3mil is sound small to big club like United but that €3mil could use to pay bonuses or increase salary some of the senior players like Valencia, Young, De Gea etc... that is still loyal to the club. Maybe it’s not about buying the players but it’s how to create a creative formation and win all the games. Quality doesn’t always comes with money. Quality can come from the ground player too if they play at the right position & get the right guidance. Just my thought!🤞🏻
DevilsUnited
113
People and specially media talking about Mourinho or Pogba and creating issue where as there always had been not appropriate transfers since Gill left. Since sir Ferguson left, no managers had got full squad they need to fight for challenge. Had we have spent just little, we could have got right winger and CBs. Mourinho is making team to thrive, entertain and fight but who can fight for titles with Jones, Smalling and lindelof when our rivals have so much of attacking players to break our defence any day. Look at city, Liverpool, even arsenal and Chelsea have got the players manager want, they have a team chosen by managers but this stupid Woodward is backing off for just few millions every now and then. For clubs betterment, Woodward should go right away as we can't afford to loose Mourinho. He has never been so haunted and changed personally for the sake of club and fans. Yeah, he need to change his tactics little with smaller teams but once he gets 3 extra players he want, mark my words, he will not only be challenger, but real threat to defending champions of England and Europe.