United were given a blessing in disguise by Barcelona four years ago (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United will be thanking their lucky stars after seeing a huge bid rejected for a former Barcelona starlet four years ago. The Red Devils have spent heavily on transfers over the last few seasons but have not managed to sign all of their top targets.
United's unsuccessful pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is arguably their highest-profile transfer failure in recent memory. They tried to sign him two years ago but were rejected by the player himself before reviving their interest to no avail.
Before that, a move for Ansu Fati failed to materialise despite United offering a huge transfer fee in exchange for his signature. They saw a bid of around £83million rejected by the Catalan giants when Fati was 18 years old, according to The Athletic.
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United would have been disappointed at the time, given that Fati was considered one of the most exciting young players in world football. In hindsight, it seems they might have dodged a bullet with the Spaniard yet to fully deliver on the promise he once showed.
Fati became the youngest Barcelona player to score in La Liga when he found the net before his 17th birthday. He ended his first season with eight goals in all competitions, earning a call-up to the Spain national team, but has experienced a decline since then.
A string of injury problems began just months after United failed to sign him, with a torn meniscus ruling him out of action for the rest of that season. Another long-term setback disrupted his involvement in the following campaign and he was eventually loaned out to Brighton.
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Fati took a while to get going at the Amex Stadium and suffered a calf injury just as he was starting to show glimpses of his potential. Now back on the fringes at Barcelona, it seems unlikely that he will develop into the world-beater he was once tipped to become.
If he had joined United, there is every chance that Fati would have been an expensive mistake given the injuries which have stunted his growth. He is yet to make a league appearance for Barcelona this season after picking up a foot issue over the summer.
He still has plenty of time on his side at 21, though, and Hansi Flick is not yet prepared to give up on Fati in spite of his injury proneness.
Speaking earlier this month, the Barcelona boss said: "I've spoken to him and he sees himself more in the left wing position but he has great qualities to play centrally as well. I saw him very differently in July and brilliant in training. Now he needs time and we have to look after him."
