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Ed Woodward missed Man United's pre-season tour to work on transfer dealings
United remain hopeful of finalising deals for Harry Maguire and Sean Longstaff
It is the first time Woodward has missed a tour since taking over as chief in 2013
United will consider a move for Kalidou Koulibaly should they fail in Maguire bid

Published: 07:00 EDT, 23 July 2019 | Updated: 09:12 EDT, 23 July 2019

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Ed Woodward has missed his first pre-season tour since taking over as Manchester United chief six years ago in a bid to finalise transfer deals before next month's deadline.

United remain locked in negotiations with Leicester City over England defender Harry Maguire, and are also expected to make a fresh offer for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.

Woodward was expected to join the tour of Perth, Singapore and Shanghai - which ends with Thursday's game against Tottenham at the Hongkou Stadium - but has remained in England to work on transfers.

Ed Woodward decided to stay in England instead of joining Man United's tour to work on deals

UNITED'S SUMMER SIGNINGS SO FAR

Daniel James - £17m from Swansea

Aaron Wan-Bissaka - £50m from Crystal Palace

TOTAL SPENT: £67m

It is the first time he has missed the trip since taking the reins from David Gill in 2013 when United's former chief executive left Old Trafford along with Sir Alex Ferguson.

An earlier transfer deadline of August 8 this year means Premier League clubs have three weeks less than usual to get deals over the line, although players can leave for foreign clubs after that date.

Woodward, who had a brief family holiday in Marbella, has just over a fortnight to deliver the signings manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants after spending £67million on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James so far this summer.

United are hopeful of finalising transfers for Harry Maguire (L) and Sean Longstaff (R)

Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly is an option should United fail to sign £80m-rated defender Maguire

Leicester are demanding in excess of £80m for Maguire, who is also wanted by Manchester City, but United have failed to meet the valuation after making two bids. They have other options in mind, notably Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

Newcastle want £50m for Longstaff based on the same figure United paid Crystal Palace for Wan-Bissaka, but Woodward values him at closer to £20m. United are weighing up their next move and are expected to make a slightly improved offer.

United will also look to sign a replacement striker if Romelu Lukaku leaves Old Trafford for Inter Milan. They rejected a bid of £54m from the Italian club over the weekend, but Lukaku is keen to go having not featured in any of United's three pre-season games so far, and a deal is still expected to be done.