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Manchester United’s quest to bolster their defensive lineup this summer led them to scout numerous talents across Europe.
With injuries affecting key first-team defenders last season, the Red Devils were eager to strengthen their backline depth.
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As the transfer window progressed, the club faced challenges in securing their primary targets.
High asking prices and competition from other teams forced United to consider alternative options to reinforce their defense.
One player who declined a move to Old Trafford is Senegalese international Faye.
According to his agent, the 20-year-old turned down Manchester United because he did not want to leave Barcelona for a club where he wouldn’t be a first-team regular.
Faye eventually signed with Ligue 1 side Rennes, a move that also helped Barcelona finance the signing of Dani Olmo.
Manchester United had considered Faye as an alternative to Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who was their first choice for strengthening the left center-back position.
Negotiations for Branthwaite fell through due to Everton’s high valuation of the England international.
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This prompted United to explore other options, but they ultimately opted to sign defenders Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt instead of Faye.
Speaking on the Inkubator podcast, Faye’s agent Andy Bara stated: “Manchester United were interested in Faye, but he didn’t like that option.
“He wasn’t a regular at Barcelona, so what did it matter if he hadn’t had the same at United? His development wouldn’t have progressed at all.
“Barca wanted a buy-back clause in Faye’s contract with Rennais, it was the only condition that Barça accepted.
“The clause is €30 million (£25m/$33m). Now everything depends on Faye, on how he is going to develop.”
Since his transfer at the end of August, Faye has yet to make an appearance for Rennes.
However, his agent believes the young defender will break into the first team within one or two months.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continue to deal with defensive injuries, including a setback for new signing Yoro. This situation suggests that Faye might have had opportunities to impress had he joined the Premier League club.
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