Manchester United completed four new signings before the transfer window closed, but manager Michael Carrick saw one 'amazing' transfer ambition denied after Leicester City's owner intervened.
United's midfield was restructured following Casemiro's departure. Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50million, Youri Tielemans joined after his £35m Aston Villa release clause was triggered, and Carlos Baleba was brought in from Brighton for £70m. Former Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow also joined on a free transfer.
Carrick's wish for more arrivals
Speaking shortly before the deadline, Carrick was quizzed on potential further arrivals and conceded he would like more players. He said: "You're always looking for more if you can do something else and make the most of the situation."
But United did not conduct any further business, meaning this desire for additional recruits went unfulfilled. Nevertheless, Carrick seems reasonably satisfied with United's window on the whole.
"At the moment, the group's in a good place, and they want to fight for each other, which is important," he added. "I think the situation that we're in, I think the business that we've managed to do, I'm pleased with. I think we're a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team."
Chairman intervenes in transfer
One deal the club appeared to be pursuing right up to the wire was the signing of young Leicester City midfielder Louis Page. The 18-year-old was crowned the EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season last term and became a target for United. The club even made a late push near the deadline to secure his signature, with a package worth approximately £15m reportedly tabled.
However, Leicester's owner, Aiyawatt 'Khun Top' Srivaddhanaprabha, determined that Page was not for sale. Leicester manager Russell Martin said on Tuesday: "The owner was here today [and] we sat in the office and received a very big offer from Manchester United. Myself, Jon [Rudkin], James [McCarron] and the owner, Khun Top, sat in [the office] and he said no. So whatever's going on with the noise around the club and all that stuff, he was strong."
"He wanted the player to stay and be part of us. It would have been so easy for him to sell Louis and take a lot of money. But he didn't. It's a brilliant thing for us. Louis, you can see the level of quality and potential he possesses is amazing. He's really helped us since coming into the team. I'm really grateful that he's still here."
United now turn their attention to Sunday's fixture against Everton, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Hull City in their Premier League opener before thrashing Ipswich Town 5-2 in their most recent outing.
