The three stars Man Utd rejected signing in January

FT Desk
FT Desk
  • Updated: 2 Feb 2022 15:58 CST
  • 3 min read
Julian Alvarez, River Plate
© ProShots

Manchester United rejected the chance to sign three of the world’s most promising young stars in January, according to Sky Italy.

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The Red Devils were expected to have a busy January transfer window as they fight to finish in the top four this season.

However, incredibly, they failed to sign a single player during the winter market.

Instead, all of their transfer business, revolved around offloading and loaning players out.

This included Anthony Martial being loaned to Sevilla, Donny van de Beek to Everton and Amad Diallo to Rangers.

Julian Alvarez

United were offered the opportunity to buy Argentine wonderkid Julian Alvarez from River Plate.

The forward has been labelled the ‘new Lionel Messi’ and is regarded as the most promising talent Argentina has produced in years.

However, Man Utd refused to place a bid and Alvarez instead signed for Man City for €17 million plus €1.5m in add-ons.

Denis Zakaria

Man Utd were also offered the chance to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.

Denis Zakaria signed for Juventus
© ProShots - Denis Zakaria signed for Juventus

United are in desperate need of a central midfield and Zakaria was keen on a move to the Premier League.

Again, though, the Red Devils said no and Zakaria instead moved to Juventus for a cut-price fee of €5m plus €3m in add-ons.

Boubacar Kamara

The third young star that Man Utd turned down was Marseille defensive midfielder, Boubacar Kamara.

Like Zakaria, Kamara’s contract was due to expire in the summer and would have been available for a small fee.

Boubacar Kamara is highly-rated
© ProShots - Boubacar Kamara is highly-rated

But despite United needing his type of player, they again turned down the advances of the player’s agent.

It is understood that United decided against buying anyone due to the uncertainty over who their long-term manager will be.

Ralf Rangnick is the interim manager currently but is due to move into an advisory role at the end of the season.

It remains to be seen if it is a wise decision not to have improved the squad, with United sitting in fourth place and only one point above West Ham, two above Arsenal and three above Tottenham – the north London sides with games in hand to move above them.

Read more about: Premier League, Man Utd

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