Manchester United have struggled in the transfer market in recent years, with a number of high-profile targets being signed by rival clubs – and they'll hope the same doesn't happen this summer
Thomas Mueller #25 of FC Bayern Munchen acknowledges the fans prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between CR Flamengo and FC Bayern München at Hard Rock Stadium on June 29, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida
Thomas Muller is one player who Manchester United have heavily been linked with in the past
Matheus Cunha has already made his way to Manchester United, while Bryan Mbeumo could be next in line to join – and fans are hoping further key targets don't slip away as the summer progresses.
The Red Devils secured Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5million at the beginning of June and are now attempting to finalise a deal for Mbeumo, despite recent interest from his former boss Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur. Ruben Amorim is eager for fresh talent, following a Europa League final loss and a 15th place finish in the Premier League.
United are always active in the transfer window, but their track record in recent years leaves much to be desired. High-profile signings such as Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Antony have all come with hefty price tags, but have failed to replicate their form from their previous clubs.
While many United supporters may criticise various deals that have been struck, they will be equally frustrated with the targets who have gone elsewhere. Manchester Evening News takes a look at some of the players United have let slip through their fingers over the past few years.
Thomas Muller
In 2015, Thomas Muller was heavily linked with a move to United when Louis van Gaal was in charge. Van Gaal was one of Muller's earliest managers at Bayern Munich and was reportedly keen on a reunion.
Despite the strong connection, Muller remained a key player for Bayern. Even an £80m bid from United, which would have equalled the world record at the time, couldn't tempt the German giants to sell.
Reflecting on those transfer speculations, Muller has previously said: "Things were serious when Van Gaal came in [for me] in 2015, for all sides involved. I could imagine going to United then. But the club said, 'We want you to stay.' I wasn't out of contract, that's why it was pretty clear-cut in the end."
Harry Kane
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 24: Harry Kane #9 of FC Bayern Munchen looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group C match between SL Benfica and FC Bayern München at Bank of America Stadium on June 24, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Harry Kane had been linked with a move to Old Trafford on several occasions
In his final season with Tottenham, Harry Kane surpassed Jimmy Greaves to become Spurs' all-time top goalscorer and then set his sights on Alan Shearer's Premier League record. With Manchester City securing Erling Haaland, Liverpool opting for Cody Gakpo at that time and Spurs' usual reluctance to sell key players to London rivals like Chelsea and Arsenal, it seemed United had an open path to Kane.
Yet Benni McCarthy, who was a member of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Old Trafford then, said the club were spooked by his high transfer fee. At the unveiling of Ladbrokes' Gaffer of all Accas, McCarthy said: "Harry Kane was Erik's No.1 target. Erik really wanted him.
"Kolo Muani was also very high on that list. Victor Osimhen was also on that list. But I felt that if you're going to want to spend that kind of money – £100million-plus – then you want the complete package. And Harry Kane, for me, was the complete package.
"But unfortunately, the club didn't see it that way. They looked at it as Rasmus Hojlund in the long run would be a more prized asset than investing in both Rasmus and Harry Kane. So we stopped pursuing Kane and we ended up getting just Rasmus."
Kane subsequently transferred to Bayern Munich that summer, leaving behind a legacy of 213 Premier League goals – merely 47 shy of Shearer’s remarkable 260-goal tally.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice of England looks on during the international friendly match between England and Senegal at City Ground on June 10, 2025 in Nottingham, England
Declan Rice was linked with Manchester United on several occasions
For a brief moment, Declan Rice became the most expensive transfer in Premier League history when he signed for Arsenal in 2023. Prior to his move to the Emirates Stadium, United had been consistently linked with the former West Ham United captain.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has openly discussed United's interest in Rice, when he spoke to the Stick to Football podcast. He said: "We discussed him a few times and I think we would have done well with him in midfield.
"I think he improved a lot on his playmaking as well. Obviously he would have cost some money, but we could have and should have gone for him."
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland #9 of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Juventus FC and Manchester City FC at Camping World Stadium on June 26, 2025 in Orlando, United States
Haaland appeared on United's radar when he was still playing in Norway
United had an early tip-off about Erling Haaland when the striker was still an emerging talent in Norway. Solskjaer told United scouts about him when he was still managing Molde.
The former United manager said: "I had him in Molde, for two seasons more or less. The summer before I got here [in Manchester], I rang the club and said, 'You've got to sign this boy. He'll be absolutely top class.'
"That was June, July 2018, and they said, 'No.' Then I became caretaker manager and Molde had sold Haaland to RB Salzburg. I told the club, 'Buy him straightaway, before he plays,' because he didn't play for them for three or four months. 'Just sign him now because he's got a release clause.'
"We knew that then and no-one else would've paid that money – €20m (£17.2m) it would've been a bargain. It was the club's decision to not go for him then. We never made bids or went in for him, until after they realised, when he started scoring for Salzburg. By then Dortmund were there, Juventus were there, everyone was there."
Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos of Germany acknowledges the fans after the team's defeat in the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany
Toni Kroos was another midfielder United passed up the opportunity to sign
Following a less than stellar first transfer window as United manager, David Moyes began to plan for the future, envisioning Toni Kroos as part of his starting XI. Moyes' initial summer in charge saw him miss out on several high-profile targets such as Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas and Arturo Vidal, with Marouane Fellaini being the only notable arrival at Old Trafford.
In 2014, Moyes initiated a persuasive campaign to secure Kroos, which proved successful as they reached a verbal agreement for the player's transfer. Kroos said: "I knew that Manchester United wanted me and Moyes underlined that absolutely. It was a really nice afternoon with very nice people. We talked a lot about United's footballing plan which convinced me. In the end, we agreed verbally. So it was close, I almost went to United."
Regrettably for Moyes, he was dismissed before the conclusion of his inaugural season. His successor, Van Gaal, chose not to pursue Kroos and instead brought in Ander Herrera to bolster the midfield.