The next day, Ed Woodward sat down with Tiger King, Paul Scholes, Mike Phelan, and Eric Steele to deliver disappointing news. The three midfield targets they had identified—Leroy Fer, Ignacio Camacho, and Kevin Strootman—were no longer viable options for the summer transfer window.
Leroy Fer had finalized his move to Norwich City, where he was promised a regular starting role in the Premier League.
Ignacio Camacho had no interest in leaving Málaga CF, opting to remain a key figure in their midfield setup.
Kevin Strootman was on the verge of joining AS Roma, who viewed him as a pivotal signing for their upcoming season. Furthermore, Strootman had been dismissive of Manchester United's project following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, showing little enthusiasm for a potential move to Old Trafford.
A brief silence followed. Frustration was evident among the coaching staff, but it was Tiger King who broke the tension. He turned to Woodward.
"What about Kevin De Bruyne?" he asked. De Bruyne, then at Chelsea, had struggled for game time under José Mourinho and had just returned from a loan spell at Werder Bremen. The Belgian was immensely talented, but prying him away from Chelsea would not be easy.
Woodward hesitated for a moment. "That will be tough," he admitted. Mourinho valued De Bruyne's potential, but there were whispers that the player himself was growing frustrated with limited opportunities.
Determined to explore the possibility, Woodward quickly excused himself to make inquiries.
As they waited for Woodward's return, the coaching staff turned their attention to the wing positions.
With Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Nani, and Ryan Giggs all available as natural experienced wingers, the squad already had depth in wide areas. Additionally, United had secured reinforcements in the form of Riyad Mahrez and Anthony Martial, two young talents seen as long-term investments expected to provide fresh energy.
Phelan: "We're covered on the flanks. Young, Valencia, and Nani bring experience, while Mahrez and Martial add flair."
Steele: "Giggs might not play every game, but his presence is still invaluable."
Scholes leaned forward. "And what about Kagawa?"
The Japanese playmaker had primarily played as an attacking midfielder, but Scholes believed he could function as an inverted winger, drifting inside and interfering with the opponent's defensive midfielder.
Scholes: "If we use Kagawa on the left, he won't stay wide like a traditional winger. He'll cut inside and create problems centrally. That could free up space for our fullbacks and add a tactical option for strategies."
Tiger King: "Right. And if he moves inside, their defensive midfielder has to make a choice—stick with him or hold position. That opens up gaps."
Phelan: "Could be useful in certain games, but do we have enough natural width then?"
While Kagawa's technical ability and movement were highly rated, there were concerns about whether he could handle the physical demands of a winger role in the Premier League. The discussion shifted to the young talents pushing for first-team opportunities.
Steele: "Lingard's got great movement and finishing, but is he ready?"
Scholes: "He needs regular football—loan could be best for him."
Tiger King "I like him. We can give him opportunities in the Cups."
Phelan "Petrucci's a good option but injuries have set him back, and Larnell Cole, well"
Steele: "Good feet, sharp passer, but probably not quite at the level needed for the first team."
The discussions underscored the belief that, while the current youth setup was promising, they were not yet ready to replace the established wingers. That said, they offered a much-needed safety net and potential for the future.
Scholes, ever the pragmatist, added, "The real issue is midfield. We've got to make sure Woodward pulls something off there. If De Bruyne is even a possibility, we go all in."
The room was filled with anticipation as they waited for Woodward's update on Chelsea's stance regarding De Bruyne.
Woodward sat in his office, frustration growing as he hung up the phone. His latest conversation with a Chelsea executive confirmed his fears—Kevin De Bruyne was unlikely to move. The news hit hard.
José Mourinho had personally promised the Belgian a bigger role after his impressive loan spell at Werder Bremen. Chelsea had stacked their midfield with talents like Oscar, Eden Hazard, Willian, Juan Mata, and André Schürrle, yet Mourinho assured De Bruyne that he was in the club's future plans.
For Woodward, it was another setback. After failing to land Mauro Icardi, he was now struggling to bring in reinforcements in midfield. And while the real chaos had been caused by Danny Welbeck's unexpected press conference demanding to leave, he still felt the pressure. Tiger King had trusted him to deliver the transfers needed, and so far, he had failed.
Still, Woodward wasn't ready to give up. Still determined to find a solution, Woodward arranged an urgent call between Tiger and de Bruyne. He hoped Tiger's persuasive touch could finally sway the Belgian playmaker and that the manager's charisma could do what negotiations had failed to achieve.
Later that evening, Tiger King found himself on a call with Kevin De Bruyne, the young Belgian who was torn between staying at Chelsea or exploring his options elsewhere.
De Bruyne sounded hesitant from the start. "I appreciate the interest, but Chelsea has promised me an important role. It's my chance to prove myself in the Premier League."
Tiger leaned forward in his chair, choosing his words carefully. "I understand, Kevin. You've worked hard for this opportunity, and I respect that. But let me ask you something—what kind of player do you want to be?"
There was a brief silence. "You are a player who thrives when given the freedom to organize, to attack, to dictate the game. That's your strength, and I admire that. But look at Mourinho's system—he demands that every midfielder takes on defensive tasks. He won't allow you to be the playmaker you are meant to be."
De Bruyne was listening now. Tiger pressed on. "And with Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Mata, and Schürrle ahead of you, are you truly going to get the role you deserve?"
De Bruyne exhaled. "I get what you're saying… but I can't just walk away before I even get my shot."
Tiger nodded, expecting that answer. "I wouldn't expect you to. I just want you to keep an open mind. If, by the winter window, you find that Chelsea isn't what was promised—or that you're not getting the freedom you need—I want you to consider joining me at Manchester United. We'll be stronger by then, and you'll see firsthand what I'm building here."
There was no commitment, but Tiger had planted the seed.
When Tiger relayed the conversation to Woodward, the executive sighed. He had been hoping for an immediate breakthrough, but this was the reality of United's transition period. Big names were hesitant. They wanted to see if Tiger King's United could truly compete before committing their futures.
"We need results," Woodward admitted. "Players are watching. If we prove we're still a powerhouse, these talks will be easier in January."
Tiger King leaned back, calm as ever. "Then let's give them something to watch. However, I expect you to speak up for me with the Glazers. If I don't use up the budget assigned to me now. I expect the budget to remain for me to use in the winter for a bit more added in."
Woodward solemnly promised, "If the results are good, talking about this will be easy."
The focus now shifted—not just on making last-minute transfers but on proving why Manchester United was still a club that world-class players wanted to join.