HULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester Utd during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
HULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester Utd during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Manchester United are still confident of signing Leicester City starlet Louis Page after failing to agree a deal on transfer deadline day.
Focus this summer was on rebuilding in midfield for this season with Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba all arriving at Old Trafford. But there was also one eye on the future with United beginning talks to sign 18-year-old Page in August.
The England Under-20 international was named the EFL Apprentice of the Year last season and is regarded as one of the brightest talents playing outside the English top flight.
United were in talks with Leicester on the final day of the window, prepared to offer £8million plus add-ons with the possibility of Page remaining on loan at the King Power Stadium for the remainder also discussed.
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No deal was struck, however, with Leicester demanding £10million plus £2.5m in add-ons, terms United would not agree to. Page went onto shine in Leicester’s win over Plymouth the same night.
The Manchester Evening News report however lines of communication between United and Leicester remain open with hope a deal will still be agreed.
Arsenal are also interested in Page with United wary of interest from London. But the report adds Page is attracted to the vision and pathway presented to him by United during talks, also having family in Manchester.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 1: Leicester City's Louis Page during the Sky Bet League One 2026/27 match between Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle at The King Power Stadium on September 1, 2026 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 1: Leicester City's Louis Page during the Sky Bet League One 2026/27 match between Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle at The King Power Stadium on September 1, 2026 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Despite the need for reinforcement at left-back, there was no incoming final day transfer activity at Old Trafford.
United spent £150m on their midfield rebuild but fell well short of their rivals in the market with Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all spending at least £100m on a single player.
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Carrick however is satisfied with the club’s business.
Leicester City midfielder Louis Page (25) on the ball during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle at the King Power Stadium, Leicester
Arsenal have also shown interest in Page (Picture: Mallett/ProSports/Shutterstock)
‘We went into the window wanting to come out stronger from the group that we had last season, and we’ve definitely added to that,” Carrick told a news conference on Friday.
[LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 20, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 20, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)](https://metro.co.uk/2026/09/04/mikel-arteta-confirms-arsenal-injury-boost-ahead-chelsea-premier-league-clash-29535270/)
‘I think we’ve done a lot of good work in that respect. The situation is what it is in terms of finances and what we can work with and what we’re trying to get the most of.
‘I think for what we’ve spent, we’ve certainly made the most of it, without a shadow of a doubt. So, largely pretty happy, yeah.’
WUHAN, CHINA - AUGUST 26: Zhao Xintong of China competes against Barry Hawkins of England during their round of 16 match at the WUHAN OPEN 2026 on August 26, 2026 in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Zhao Xintong defeated Hawkins with a score of 5-2 to advance. (Photo by Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images)
WUHAN, CHINA - AUGUST 26: Zhao Xintong of China competes against Barry Hawkins of England during their round of 16 match at the WUHAN OPEN 2026 on August 26, 2026 in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. Zhao Xintong defeated Hawkins with a score of 5-2 to advance. (Photo by Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images)