Manchester United reportedly had a back-up option in case the deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid collapsed in the transfer window.
The Reds signed the Brazilian defensive midfielder from Los Blancos for £60million rising to £70m. He signed a four-year contract with the option of an additional year.
However, United are said to have also looked at a number of other midfielders over the summer, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Erik ten Hag was interested in a move for Leandro Paredes, prior to his move to Juventus.
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"Man United had a possibility and it was Leandro Paredes from Paris Saint-Germain," Romano said on his YouTube channel.
"He was one of the players offered to Manchester United. They decided to wait a bit in the market after missing out on Adrien Rabiot.
"They were waiting for Casemiro and in the end they signed Casemiro and they are super happy.
"But Paredes was one of the secret options offered to Man Utd."
Elsewhere, United could reportedly find Brentford striker Ivan Toney 'back on their radar' after the Englishman's impressive start to the new season.
According to journalist Dean Jones, who was speaking to GiveMeSport, Toney is likely to attract interest from several Premier League clubs in January after registering five goals and three assists in seven appearances so far this campaign.
When asked if the striker will be on the radar of the 'top six' clubs, Jones said he believes that 'half' of those clubs will be keeping a close eye on him.
"I think that half the top six will, for sure. I’m not sure that those top two will at the moment, but certainly Chelsea still have half an eye on him, and United will do again soon in January if he keeps this up," Jones said.
Toney has scored 17 Premier League goals for Brentford since the Bees secured promotion to the top-flight, also grabbing seven assists.
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