Man Utd have abandoned two 'huge-money deals' in January because of lack of funds

Manchester United have abandoned two mega-money transfers planned for January due to a lack of funds, it has been reported.

United have spent big sums during the past two summer transfer windows, with deals for the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro and Antony taking their spending to around £400 million.

But their spending at the beginning of last season restricted the business they could do in January, due to FFP concerns.

According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, United still owed a considerable amount in instalment payments for previous transfers, which limited manager Erik ten Hag to loan deals last January.

Given that FFP concerns still exist at Old Trafford, there were concerns that, despite an ongoing injury crisis, business would be difficult to conclude once again during the upcoming window.

And according to a new report, that appears to be the case.

Football Insider claim that United had planned two major deals to sign centre-backs in January - but have now pulled the plug on both due to financial reasons.

The players in question are said to be Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio and Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo.

United were heavily linked with Todibo last summer, but a deal for the Frenchman was never finalised.

Nice are also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has agreed a deal to take a 25 per cent minority share of United from the Glazer family pending board approval.

But any move for Todibo or Inacio looks as if it will have to wait until the summer.

Both players are senior internationals and aged under 23, with Todibo representing France and Inacio representing Portugal.

Inacio is a star man in the Sporting side that is currently top of the Liga Portugal table after eight games, with the team conceding just seven goals thus far.

He signed a new deal at the Portuguese club in August, raising his release clause to €60 million.

Meanwhile, L'Equipe claimed that United had agreed a £34.1 million fee to sign Todibo in the summer, although it is unclear whether Nice's strong start to the current campaign - they sit second in Ligue 1, ahead of PSG - has caused a change in thinking from their side.

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Topics: Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon, Portugal, Nice, Erik Ten Hag, Transfers

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.