Details emerge about stern Woodward demand that scuppered King deal

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward made a 15-minute demand to Bournemouth that caused a deal to sign Joshua King falling through, according to reports.

United, whose need to sign a striker in January was intensified by Marcus Rashford’s injury, were frantic in the final week of the transfer window and the Red Devils were linked with a host of players including Islam Slimani and Teemu Pukki.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side eventually opted to bring in Odion Ighalo on loan but another player they considered was King, who has previous ties to United having been a former trainee at Old Trafford.

United reportedly made two bids late on for the 28-year-old, the second one worth around £25million, but more details have since emerged about the negotiations between Woodward and Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake.

According to The Athletic, Woodward told Blake that he had 15 minutes to accept United’s final offer for King or the club would sign a player from China.

The 15 minutes are said to have elapsed without a response from Blake, with United’s deal to bring in Ighalo from Shanghai Greenland Shenuha being announced hours after the transfer window closed.

King broke his silence on the failed move earlier this month, saying: “How close it was I have no complete answer to. I have to watch what I say.

“I had some faith that it was going to happen. And it was a bit sensitive for me considering that I moved to England as a 16-year-old to achieve my dream and wanted to reach that goal at Manchester United.”

Ighalo, meanwhile, suffered a turbulent couple of weeks following his arrival at Old Trafford after being sidelined from club activities while in a 14-day quarantine period over fears about the coronavirus.

However, the Nigerian travelled down to London for United’s clash with Chelsea on Monday and made a cameo debut in second-half stoppage time after the Red Devils had gone 2-0 up.

Headed goals in either half from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire ensured United cut the gap to the Premier League’s top four to three points.

Solskjaer’s side return to action on Thursday when they face Club Brugge in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie.

READ MORE: Solskjaer’s reaction from Monday’s clash at Stamford Bridge…