How Man Utd missed out on Musiala, Sesko, Neto and more as shocking transfer failings under Glazers are laid bare
MANCHESTER UNITED have watched past transfer targets thrive at this summer’s Euros.
It is widely known that the Red Devils have missed out on a number of high-profile players in the past including the likes of Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland.
But there are some other lesser-known cases that look even more regrettable after impressive performances in Germany.
According to The Athletic, the host nation’s talisman Jamal Musiala was on the cusp of a deal with Man Utd six years ago.
As he prepared to leave Chelsea, Man Utd scout Andreas Herrmann was left thoroughly impressed by him at a Germany training camp.
Still deciding which country to represent, United’s assistant head of academy recruitment, Lyndon Tomlinson, also saw him play against Croatia for England‘s U16s alongside Bellingham.
Man Utd had the chance to sign him, but “complications with the deal” and the club being “conscious of regulations” led to them deciding the move would be “too risky”.
Musiala has gone on rack up 74 goal contributions in 163 games for Bayern Munich at the age of just 21.
He has also scored three goals for Germany at the Euros – taking his international tally to five in 33 appearances.
And there was a similar missed opportunity when it came to Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko.
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When Sesko was playing for Slovenian side Domzale, Man Utd were informed of a bid of £1.7million from RB Salzburg for the promising attacker.
However, they only sanctioned a rival offer worth £850,000 – which was eventually increased to just £1m.
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Sesko joined Salzburg and has since gone on to sign for RB Leipzig.
The playmaker, who has 11 goals in 33 games for his country, has scored 18 times in 42 appearances for Leipzig.
He is now being linked with a £56m move to Man Utd, five years after the Red Devils could have signed him for little more than £1m, although is said to be close to a new deal with Leipzig.
Other targets Man Utd missed out on include Wolves’ Pedro Neto and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.
Portuguese winger Neto, 24, was identified by United in 2017 when he was a Braga youth team player.
He was brought to Carrington for an academy match and the club only had to pay compensation to bring him in.
The recruitment team pushed to sign the then 17-year-old, but those responsible for offering the deal delayed the submission of a formal contract and he then signed an extension with Braga.
Now a 10-cap Portugal international, Neto has scored 14 goals in 135 games for Wolves and was linked with a Man Utd switch back in February.
Caicedo was on Man Utd’s radar in January 2021 after impressing in South America.
A £1.7m release clause was not considered an issue, but a deal involving multiple agents did not materialise.
At one stage, his release clause had doubled in a contract presented by his representatives.
Man Utd stepped away from the chaotic negotiations, before Brighton signed him later that month.
After an impressive time on the South Coast, Chelsea agreed a huge £115m deal to bring him in last summer.
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SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives its verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.