5 stars Manchester United almost signed in the past

In the last one or two decades, hardly it has been a case where the Red Half of Manchester was not linked with some of the most high-profile stars of times. Since Alex Ferguson revolution at the Manchester started producing immensely tangible results, Old Trafford became one of the most lucrative destinations in the transfer market.

Transfer speculation mounting around some high profile stars in the transfer window due to a possible move to Old Trafford has never been a new or surprising trend of the recent past.

But, in some circumstances transfer windows became a great frustration for the 13 times Premier League Champions. There have been numerous fantastic additions to the Manchester club in the recent past but however, on the other hand, some audacious talents of their times came very close to sign for Manchester United but their deals didn't get materialized in reality.

On that note, we take a look at the top 5 players that Manchester United has missed out on by very small margins.

#5 Mats Hummels

When Manchester United's robust defensive pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left, Red Devils were in immense need of a proper Center back and in order to fill the void, Mats Hummels once emerged as Red Devils' priority target.

Former Borussia Dortmund defender himself revealed how close he was to join Manchester United.

"I had these thoughts too, including in 2015 closely with Manchester United in exchange. At that time, I was about to go abroad. There were also different possibilities in 2016. It would not be right to say that I have not dealt with it. That was interesting. But we just never got together."

But perhaps, the German's deal was never materialized and later he chose to join Dortmund's' league rivals and German powerhouse, Bayern Munich.

#4 Pedro Rodriguez

Pedro Rodriguez could have signed for Manchester United in 2015

2010 World Cup winner, Pedro Rodriguez did agree on personal terms with Manchester United back in the summer of 2015, when he was at Barcelona.

The Spaniard had been a lucrative attacking figure in Barcelona's frontline and was heavily expected to be unveiled as Manchester United's newest recruit back in 2015.

Sky Sports Spanish football expert Balague once said,

"I understand a deal between the player and United is already in place and all that is left is for United to put the €30m on the table. They are just negotiating how they are going to pay it, with installments or an amount up-front.

"They are very close. I'm not sure whether Barcelona will try one last time with Pedro and say 'don't go', but it seems his mind is already made up."

However, in the same transfer window, Pedro did leave Barcelona but for Chelsea.

#3 Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata's probable move to Manchester United from the Spanish Heavyweights Real Madrid previously looked like a case of 'when' rather than 'if'.

The Spaniard agreed to join the Manchester outfit in order to get unveiled as Ibrahimovic's replacement. As Morata was in search of a first-team football and Red Devils were in need of a proper striker, it appeared as a win-win situation for both the player and club.

But however, even when this transfer was highly expected, it collapsed as it was Chelsea who snatched an opportunity to sign the Spanish international and later Manchester United made a swoop for Everton's Romelu Lukakau.

Later on Alvaro Morata himself revealed he had received an offer from the Red Half of Manchester but also insisted, there were other clubs interested in him.

"I had various offers this summer, not only Chelsea and Manchester United but also from different leagues,"

#2 Sergio Ramos

It may seem strange to have Sergio Ramos on this list but once the 2010 World Cup winner, astonishingly came very close to move to the Manchester club.

Manchester reportedly had a keen interest to acquire the services of current Real Madrid captain as the Spaniard's contract talks with the Spanish heavyweights looked to have stalled when Rafa Benitez was in managerial duties at Santiago Bernabeu.

Later, it was confirmed by Ramos himself.

"At one point I did think about making a change, but at the end of the day my priority has always been Real Madrid and I thought about a change for other reasons.

"...but all of those problems were resolved and everyone's happy, but it wasn't an economic issue like some people made out."

But, however, he did opt to stay in Spain and emphatically clinched the three straight Uefa Champions League titles.

#1 Fernando Torres

Alex Ferguson's keen interest in signing Steven Gerrard is no more a secret, but emphatically Manchester United once tried to sign another Liverpool star, Fernando Torres when he was 16.

Fernando Torres made a big money move to Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007 but before Liverpool, Red Devils tried to lure the Spaniard, and it was revealed by Ferguson himself.

'' We watched him [Torres] many times and tried to sign him when he was 16]''

Fernando Torres was simply fabulous when he was at the top of his form at the Red Half of Merseyside.

But Torres did leave Anfield in 2011 in order to secure a move to Chelsea. Perhaps, arguably he enjoyed best days of career at Stamford Bridge clinching Champions League and the Premier League. Later, he returned to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid in 2015 and now, Fernando Torres piles his trade for Japanese club Sagan Tosu.

Edited by Sripad