Manchester United reportedly rejected the chance to sign Julian Alvarez, Denis Zakaria and Boubacar Kamara during the January transfer window as they were wary of spending before appointing a new permanent manager in summer.
It was an extremely quiet transfer window for United with the club only overseeing the outgoings of Anthony Martial to Sevilla and Donny van de Beek to Everton.
But United's lack of business last month is reportedly due to their hesitation to splash the clash before appointing a new permanent manager.
The Red Devils appointed Ralf Rangnick as interim boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal in November but have yet to appoint a manager on a permanent basis.
Given the uncertainty at Old Trafford, the club decided against making any signings last month despite not being short of options.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that United were offered the chance to sign Argentina striker Alvarez ‘many times’ but the club had no interest.
The wonderkid subsequently signed a five-and-a-half-year deal with local rivals Manchester City but the Premier League champions have loaned him back to River Plate for the rest of the season.
The Italian also reported that United had been in contact with Zakaria's agent since December but ultimately opted against a move for the Switzerland international.
The Red Devils may have returned for the midfielder in summer but he completed a move to Juventus from Borussia Monchengladbach on deadline day.
Marseille star and Barcelona target Kamara was also a possibility towards the end of the window but United once again decided against a move as they did not know if it would be a smart decision given the uncertainty over the managerial vacancy at Old Trafford.