Manchester United decided against signing Wilfred Ndidi during the winter transfer window | OneFootball

Manchester United decided against signing Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi during the winter transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Ndidi was open to a return to the Premier League, but interim manager Michael Carrick brought back Kobbie Mainoo into the starting XI after Ruben Amorim snubbed him for the majority of his reign.

United have won their last three league games and are playing some of their best football in recent years under Carrick. Ndidi did not get the chance he was hoping for.

“I can tell you that Wilfried Ndidi was offered as an opportunity to Man United,” Romano revealed on the Here We Go podcast this evening.

“A low-cost opportunity, the player was very keen on the move, but Man United decided immediately not to proceed.”

Casemiro has also been in fine form under Carrick, and he will be desperate to end his time at the club on a high note.

He has played alongside Mainoo in the two-man defensive midfield that Man United have been using since Carrick switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Casemiro and Mainoo have been undroppable, and there was no need to bring in Ndidi or another midfielder for the second half of the season.

Man United remain keen on long-term targets – Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson – to replace Casemiro.

One of them is likely to be signed in the summer, and Carrick will hope he is given the permanent job after his impressive start.