Manchester United spent a combined £152m in the summer transfer window after reaching the Champions League once again. Seven new players arrived at the club, including a trio of youngsters.
With the transfer window now shut, United's summer business has concluded. Four senior signings were sealed, with Andrey Santos being the first new recruit, closely followed by the arrivals of Karl Darlow and Youri Tielemans. Carlos Baleba, whose deal could reach £70m if all add-ons are met, was the final senior addition.
Tynan Thompson, a promising young winger, was also signed for a total of £8m from Tottenham and he joined the club's academy ranks alongside Cristian Orozco and goalkeeper Kit Margetson.
Leicester owner blocks late Page bid
United, who lost their Premier League opener to Hull City 2-0 before bouncing back with a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town, had set their sights on another promising talent: Leicester City's Louis Page. Yet their pursuit of the 18-year-old ended in failure.
The club appeared to be close to finalising the acquisition of young Leicester midfielder Page just before the deadline. 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 determined late push to secure his signature, with a package valued at approximately £15m reportedly tabled. However, Leicester's owner, Aiyawatt 'Khun Top' Srivaddhanaprabha, determined that Page was not available for transfer.
"The owner was here today [and] we sat in the office and received a very big offer from Manchester United," Leicester manager Russell Martin said on Tuesday. "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."
Carrick's unfulfilled transfer wish
Elsewhere, speaking shortly before the deadline, Michael Carrick was quizzed on potential further additions and conceded: "You're always looking for more if you can do something else and make the most of the situation."
But United completed no further business, meaning this desire for additional reinforcements went unfulfilled. Nevertheless, Carrick appears 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."
