Man Utd fail in bid to sign ex-Chelsea midfielder after Wayne Rooney demand

Manchester United failed in a late bid to bolster Ruben Amorim’s midfield options after Wayne Rooney called for more signings.

The Red Devils turned to midfield targets after spending almost £200m on attacking players Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

A disjointed midfield has been one of Amorim’s biggest problems since his arrival at Old Trafford and United expressed interest in signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton.

Manchester United baulked at Brighton’s asking price of over £100m, however, and a deal for long-term target Adam Wharton always looked unlikely.

United made a last-ditch attempt to sign a new midfielder on transfer deadline day, contacting Atletico Madrid about a deal for England international Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher has been linked with a move away from the La Liga giants but Atletico were only interested in a permanent transfer while United asked about a loan.

As a result Amorim’s midfield options have not been bolstered this summer, with United now likely to make that position their priority in January.

Gallagher made 50 appearances for Atletico Madrid last season following his £34m move from boyhood club Chelsea.

As well as playing for Chelsea, Gallagher also had spells at Crystal Palace – who expressed interest in re-signing him last week – and EFL clubs Swansea City, Charlton Athletic and West Brom.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney will be disappointed by the lack of midfield additions at his former club after admitting the squad is ‘crying out’ for support in that position.

Asked if he would be ‘crying out’ for a new midfielder if he was in Amorim’s shoes, Rooney said on his BBC podcast: ‘You would be, yeah, but obviously we don’t know what the situation is with PSR.

‘But to get a midfielder and a goalkeeper is a priority, if they can address that before the window closes they will be in an okay place.’

More to follow…