5 defenders Manchester United failed to sign this summer

#2 Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Belgian would have transformed Manchester United into strong Premier League contenders.

The 29-year-old defender, Toby Alderweireld is an experienced Premier League campaigner and was the best option for Manchester United to chase with just 12 months remaining on his contract.

He joined Southampton on loan in 2014 from Atletico Madrid and completed a move to Tottenham in 2015 for £11.5 million.

The Belgian has performed at the highest level since joining Tottenham Hotspur having been recognized as one of the best defenders in the Premier League by many commentators. He was a key component of the team that achieved the best defensive record in the club's history in 2016 and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.

According to BleacherReport, Manchester United agreed on a deal with their Premier League rivals over their in-demand defender believed to be in the region of £50 million. Goal also confirmed the news but reported Spurs wouldn't sell unless they signed a replacement first.

The deal stalled however until transfer deadline day and the transfer failed to complete to the Red Devils' disappointment.

Former Spurs player Jermaine Jenas has predicted the versatile defender will be a Red Devil in the January transfer window. It remains to be seen how things pan out for the Old Trafford faithful.