Manchester United were unable to bring in a Champions League winner this summer after failing to sell Harry Maguire, a reporter has claimed.
United completed five deals this summer, with Sofyan Amrabat arriving on loan at the end of deadline day following big-money deals for Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount earlier in the window.
United spent over £150 million on the above three players, while goalkeeper Altay Bayindir also arrived from Fenerbahce for around £5 million on deadline day.
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One area that manager Erik ten Hag could not improve, however, was in defence.
It was reported throughout the window that the Dutchman wanted a new centre-back, but that a move was contingent on other players leaving.
The player that appeared likeliest to depart Old Trafford was Maguire, with West Ham opening talks to sign him.
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But the Hammers pulled out of the deal near the end of August. The Guardian claimed that the London club 'grew tired of waiting' for Maguire to finalise his exit with United, amid reports that the defender wanted a pay-off.
Speaking on England duty last week, however, Maguire stated that the two clubs never agreed a deal - meaning he never had a decision to make over his future.
And according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, United's failure to do a deal with West Ham meant they missed out on the signing of Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich. The French defender went on to join Inter Milan.
Pavard won the Champions League with Bayern in 2020, and his acquisition would have added more major trophy-winning experience to a backline that contains Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
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Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sheth explained: "When you're talking about trying to get someone in during the summer and January, it's very, very different.
"I think United probably had a couple of deals ready to go in the summer.
"Pavard looked like it was a goer, but it was all dependent on what happened with Maguire. It looked like Maguire was going to leave and it looked like there were going to be good deals for United."
Pavard was entering the last year of his deal at the Allianz Arena, with Inter snapping him up for £25 million.
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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Harry Maguire, Manchester United, Champions League, Premier League, Transfers