Manchester United reportedly failed with a last-gasp bid to sign Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
Over the past week, INEOS's plans to turn the Red Devils into eventual Premier League title challengers have started to come to fruition.
Forward Joshua Zirkzee signed from Bologna on Sunday before United completed the high-profile addition of Lille teenager Leny Yoro on Thursday.
In excess of £80m has been spent on those two acquisitions, and speculation persists that Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt could be the next through the door.
However, it appears that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club's recruitment were interested in stepping up their long-term interest in another player before having to admit defeat.
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United miss out on Onana
United have been heavily linked with Onana for some time, the Belgium international having been tipped to eventually sign for a bigger club ever since he made the switch to Everton in the summer of 2022.
Nevertheless, it emerged last weekend that Aston Villa were on the brink of finalising a £50m transfer as soon as possible, Onana viewed as a replacement for Douglas Luiz.
With that deal yet to go through, Villa supporters will naturally have concerns over whether the 22-year-old will become their next signing.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, United made an effort to gazump Villa with a late effort to add Onana to their midfield ranks.
The Red Devils are said to have been prepared to match Villa's proposal and hand Onana a more lucrative contract than he will get in the West Midlands.
Instead, Onana has no intention of changing his mind over his next destination, with the report claiming that he has 'given his word' to Villa boss Unai Emery.
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A blow or blessing in disguise?
While Onana has certainly not disgraced himself at Goodison Park, opinion will be split over whether he has justified his £33m price-tag.
Just three goals and two assists have come from 63 appearances in the Premier League. He brings other qualities to the engine room, yet the Toffees fanbase would have anticipated more.
Onana may have been viewed as an ideal foil to Kobbie Mainoo in the United midfield, but supporters may prefer that Manuel Ugarte is brought in from Paris Saint-Germain.
Darren Plant
