Overview
- Manchester United announced on Monday that they will not pursue free agent David Alaba, who left Real Madrid when his contract expired in June.
- Club sources say the decision reflects a shift under Ineos toward signing younger, long-term assets and a view that some available veterans have regressed and command high wages.
- United spent heavily on midfield reinforcements this summer—reported around £150m for Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans—and chose not to pay above £60m for target Lewis Hall, leaving left-back depth thin.
- The club has made clear it will only revisit veteran signings if Luke Shaw suffers a significant injury that leaves them without a natural left-back, with a short-term loan seen as unlikely unless circumstances force it.
- The move reflects institutional caution after past ageing signings failed to deliver peak form, while Alaba remains a free agent with reported interest from other clubs such as Lazio.