Manchester United's summer transfer activity has stalled after missing out on two midfield targets within a week. Manchester City secured Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a club-record £116m, while Tottenham agreed a deal worth £85m for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. United's reluctance to meet inflated valuations has left them empty-handed in the market.

The club's cautious approach stems from their unwillingness to match what they see as excessive asking prices. Despite pushing hard for Fernandes, United believed West Ham would demand closer to £90m if they entered a bidding war with Spurs. Meanwhile, departures have been limited to out-of-contract players Casemiro and Jadon Sancho, with Marcus Rashford and Andre Onana still under contract.

United have identified alternative targets including Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Tyler Adams, though both present challenges. A deal for Ederson from Atalanta worth £35m is agreed but delayed due to international commitments. The club maintains confidence in their recruitment strategy, pointing to last summer's relative success.

With the Premier League season starting in seven weeks and the transfer window closing in nine, United face mounting pressure to deliver new signings. Their insistence on responsible spending may please accountants but risks frustrating supporters who expect significant reinforcements after Champions League qualification.