'New' Man U CEO admits club 'failed' to make major signings during summer window

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has admitted that the club did have a slight failure in this summer's transfer window, with the only arrival of significance being Marouane Fellaini from Everton.

According to the Mirror, David Moyes, United's new manager, wanted to bring in two central midfielders and someone to challenge first-choice left-back Patrice Evra.

United lost out in their attempts to buy midfield quartet Cesc Fabregas, who chose to stay at Barcelona, Thiago Alcantara, who left Barca for Bayern Munich, Ander Herrera of Athletic Bilbao and Roma's Daniele De Rossi, the report said.

They also saw their efforts to sign a left-back come to nothing, missing out on Fellaini's Goodison teammate Leighton Baines and a loan deal for Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao, the report added.

Woodward is said to be have been stung by criticism of his failure to land United's stated targets during his first window as executive vice-chairman following David Gill's summer exit, according to the report.