Manchester United had put the wheels in motion to bring a deadline day signing to Old Trafford.
Ed Woodward organised a private jet to carry Diego Godin from his holiday in Sardinia to Manchester in order to complete a late medical, according to a report in the Mirror.
Godin emerged as a late target for United after the Red Devils missed out on the likes of Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld and Jerome Boateng in the summer.
The Uruguayan defender’s release clause at Atletico Madrid made him an attractive option for buyers as Godin was reportedly available for a measly £17.5 million.
The 32-year-old was said to have been offered a deal worth £8 million-a-year at Old Trafford but Godin turned down the opportunity in favour of a new contract at Atletico.
United were then forced to cancel the jet and break the news to manager Jose Mourinho that he would have to make do with the central defenders he already had at his disposal. After United’s season opener against Leicester City, in August, Mourinho said:
“I had my plans for many months and I find myself with the market closed in a situation I did not think I would be in.
“I think football is changing and managers should be called head coaches.”
Several reports claim that the club’s failure to bring in a new central defender caused a rift between Mourinho and his executive vice-chairman but the United boss threw his backing behind Woodward after Sunday’s win over Burnley.
An anti-Woodward banner was flown over Turf Moor ahead of the game but Mourinho insists he didn’t see it.
“I am not looking to the sky unless I am asking the guy for help,” Mourinho said.
“I didn’t see planes but Ed Woodward won 2-0 this afternoon.”
