Manchester United have seen several high-profile transfers fall through over the years, including a future Ballon d'Or winner and a World Cup hero. As Michael Carrick prepares his squad for the upcoming Premier League season, the club reflects on missed opportunities that could have shaped their history.
Ronaldinho: The One That Got Away
In 2003, United were on the verge of signing Brazilian star Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain for £9 million. The midfielder was seen as a replacement for David Beckham, who was heading to Real Madrid. Barcelona, however, hijacked the deal, signing Ronaldinho for £25.5 million. United were reportedly "99.9% certain" the World Cup winner would join, but the La Liga giants swooped in. Ronaldinho went on to win the Ballon d'Or in 2005 and became a Barcelona legend.
John Obi Mikel: Pre-Contract Not Enough
John Obi Mikel had a pre-contract agreement with United and even met Sir Alex Ferguson, but Chelsea convinced him to switch. The Nigerian midfielder told TNT Sports' What I Wore: "My first trial was with Manchester United... I signed the contract. But of course, Chelsea had sent me to Norway and they said, 'Why would you do that?'" Ferguson requested a one-on-one meeting, but Mikel chose Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and multiple Premier League titles.
Toni Kroos: Verbal Agreement Falls Through
Toni Kroos verbally agreed to join United in 2013 when David Moyes took over. Moyes told talkSPORT in 2018: "Toni Kroos had agreed to come to Manchester United with me. I met him and his wife and we agreed it all." However, Kroos stayed at Bayern Munich for another season before moving to Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles and the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
Paulo Dybala: Swap Deal Collapses
In 2019, United attempted a swap deal with Juventus involving Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku. Reports in Italy indicated a deal had been agreed, but Dybala chose to remain in Turin. He went on to win 11 major honours with Juventus and was part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad. Dybala now plays for Roma.
Alan Shearer: Childhood Hero Wins
Alan Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer, had a choice between United and Newcastle in 1996. He met Ferguson and Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan on the same day. Shearer recalled on The Rest is Football podcast: "Sir Alex came in and said to me, 'Am I meeting you first or am I meeting you second?'... I said, 'I'm signing for Man United.'" After house hunting with Ferguson, Shearer received a call from Keegan and ultimately chose his boyhood club, Newcastle United.
These failed transfers highlight the fine margins in football recruitment. As Carrick works to strengthen United's squad, the club hopes to avoid similar mishaps in the future.
