Postecoglou omits £32m outcast from EL squad after summer reports that he ‘would love’ to join United

Manchester United found themselves linked with an abundance of players throughout the summer transfer window, with only five targets materialising to actual signings.

Amongst the mix was former Red Sergio Reguilon, who had reportedly been made aware that he’d be a fringe player under Ange Postecoglou – as had been the case since the manager was appointed.

As such, he spent half of the 2023/2024 campaign on loan with the Red Devils before his break clause was activated in the January window. He then completed a temporary move to Brentford, where he stayed until the end of the term.

Given that United’s left-backs, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, were sidelined during pre-season – and remain unavailable now – there may have been some truth in the club’s links to Reguilon; Fabrizio Romano even claimed at one point that the player ‘would love’ to return to Old Trafford on a permanent deal.

Read more: Huge boost for Ten Hag – United hopeful they can welcome two integral starters back to squad for So’ton trip

United opted against Reguilon reunion

However, Erik ten Hag’s preference for his ex-Ajax protegees led to INEOS chiefs recruiting Noussair Mazraoui to bolster the fullback department following the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

The Spaniard, who joined Tottenham Hotspur on a £32 million deal from Real Madrid in 2020, has just faced a further blow in his career in North London. Having not featured for the side at all since the Premier League campaign began, he has now been omitted from Postecoglou’s Europa League squad.