New Bayern Munich signing Renato Sanches was reportedly willing to join Manchester United if the Red Devils had acted on their interest.
Sanches shot to prominence this season with a string of scintillating displays in his home country of Portugal for Benfica, impressing in the Champions League despite being only 18-years-old and relatively untested.
A whole host of Europe’s biggest clubs were reportedly keeping tabs on the highly-rated midfielder and none more so than United, who were regularly linked with Sanches.
But the player instead sealed a big-money switch to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich earlier this week, leaving United fans frustrated.
According to Sky Sports, Sanches, who is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, would have signed for the 13-time Premier League champions had they not deliberated the potential transfer for so long.
Sanches was keen to follow the path of Cristiano Ronaldo, his compatriot, the source suggests.
However, the report claims that despite scouting him extensively, Louis van Gaal did not approve of any potential deal and Mendes was unable to stall interest from other parties.
The news came as a bitter blow to United, who are staring in the face of a second season in three years without Champions League football.
They need to beat Bournemouth on Sunday and hope that Manchester City slip up against Swansea City to have any hope of leapfrogging their rivals into fourth spot.
With Van Gaal heavily linked with an Old Trafford departure, the Dutchman’s reported refusal to sign off on a deal for Sanches could potentially mean the club’s board still have faith in the incumbent, whose position will come under even more scrutiny if his side fail to catch City.
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