Manchester United have signed some of the greatest footballers in history, but they have also missed out on many top targets in the transfer window.
Every year, Manchester United are linked with dozens of players.
It’s no different in 2026 with the January transfer window open, although United’s stance on signing players this month means that Ineos are willing to wait until the summer to get their primary targets.
United missed out on Antoine Semenyo after targeting the Ghana international, who signed for Man City this week.
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Top five January transfers graphic
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In midfield, most of the targets identified by United are not available in January, despite a failed attempt to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton.
United may look to sign players if they let anyone go midway through the season. Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte have both been linked with exits to get regular football ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ryan Giggs and Javier Zanetti are contesting for the ball
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Javier Zanetti opens up on snubbing Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd
United have had several big near misses when it comes to transfers.
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From Wesley Sneijder and Thiago Alcantara to Ronaldinho and Patrick Kluivert, United have missed out on many top players down the years.
Now, Inter Milan and Argentina legend, Javier Zanetti, has told a story about when he politely turned down a proposal to join United from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“We met at an airport,” Zanetti told the Daily Mail when asked about snubbing Ferguson.
“He told me that he wanted me to go to Manchester United and I thanked him. Manchester United is one of the most important clubs in the world and Ferguson one of the most important coaches in the history of football.
“But I told him that my footballing life would be through Inter, I wanted to play for them until the end of my career. And he understood that.”
IS Carlos Baleba’s form concerning or do you still want him at Manchester United?🇨🇲
CAN he handle the PRESSURE of playing at Old Trafford after he hasn't coped with the links well?🤔
Carlos Baleba plays for Brighton
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Of course, Ferguson could understand Zanetti’s point of view. He was and still is an icon at Inter, and the Scot had like-minded players in his dressing room.
Zanetti won the Serie A five times in a row with Inter between 2005/06 and 2009/10. They also won the Champions League in 2010, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup, under former United manager Jose Mourinho.
When Mourinho named the best XI of players he worked with, Zanetti featured at right-back, so it’s clear that they enjoyed a strong relationship together in Milan.
Jose Mourinho’s best XI
Petr Cech; Javier Zanetti, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole; Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard and Mesut Ozil; Eden Hazard, Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo.
What did Javier Zanetti say about Jose Mourinho?
Zanetti considers Mourinho among the best managers he has ever played under.
After all, Inter won the treble under the Portuguese coach in 2010, with one of the greatest teams produced by the Italian outfit.
“One of the best,” Zanetti added when asked about Mourinho.
“We won everything with him but beyond winning it was his personality, his ability, his intelligence, his capacity as a coach.
“He was very important in my career.”
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