In a whirlwind of last-minute maneuvers, Manchester United aimed for a spark this summer by attempting to snatch a renowned LaLiga midfield star, Conor Gallagher. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano spilled the beans on what he called a "secret" approach, revealing that despite their relentless efforts, United faced a firm rejection: “no chance,” was the response from Atlético Madrid.

This summer has seen United make some significant moves early on, securing players like Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon before bringing in Bryan Mbeumo. By the second week of August, they finally sealed the deal for Benjamin Sesko. The window wrapped up with the signing of Senne Lammens, as United opted for him between the posts instead of settling for Emi Martinez after agreeing on personal terms.

Yet, even as the clock ticked down on the transfer window, United was eager for more reinforcements in the midfield. Romano took to his YouTube channel, noting, "In the last 48 hours of the summer transfer window, Manchester United made a surprise attempt to sign Conor Gallagher." However, Atlético Madrid was not interested in the loan arrangement proposed by United, which had already sought a similar move from Crystal Palace a week prior.

Chris Wheeler from the Telegraph added clarity, reporting that United's inquiry for Gallagher was not as secretive as initially thought. He confirmed that while Atlético refused to entertain a loan deal, they were willing to sell, leaving United to reconsider their strategy for the midfield ahead of January—or even next summer.

Following their failed chase for Carlos Baleba, insiders suggest that United is prepared to reignite their interest in the Brighton midfielder come January. They've also evaluated alternatives such as Adam Wharton, Morten Hjulmand, and Ederson.

On a separate note, Lammens was chosen over the more experienced Martinez largely due to financial constraints; Martinez commands a hefty £200,000-per-week and a £40 million transfer fee, while the younger Belgian offers a promising, yet uncertain, stint in English football.