Manchester United manager Michael Carrick's wish for further transfer additions was denied before the deadline, as Leicester City's owner intervened to block a deal for young midfielder Louis Page. The club did complete four senior signings during the summer window, which has now closed.
Carrick guided United to Champions League qualification last term and has been rewarded with new players, including a complete overhaul of the midfield. Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50million, Youri Tielemans was signed after his £35m Aston Villa release clause was activated, and Carlos Baleba joined from Brighton for £70m. Former Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow also arrived as a free agent.
Carrick's transfer wish
Speaking just before the deadline, Carrick was asked about more potential incomings and admitted: "You're always looking for more if you can do something else and make the most of the situation."
United did not complete any further business, meaning this wish was not granted. Regardless, Carrick appears relatively content with the window overall.
"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."
Leicester owner's intervention
One deal United seemed to be working to get over the line was the transfer of 18-year-old Leicester midfielder Louis Page, named the EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season last season. United pushed hard close to the deadline, with a package of around £15m reportedly on offer.
However, Leicester's owner, Aiyawatt 'Khun Top' Srivaddhanaprabha, decided Page was not for sale. Leicester manager Russell Martin explained the decision on Tuesday.
"The owner was here today [and] we sat in the office and received a very big offer from Manchester United," Martin said. "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 Premier League clash with Everton, having lost their opener 2-0 to Hull City and beaten Ipswich Town 5-2 last time out.
