Have United Lost Some Pulling Power???
United are no strangers to high profile transfers having paid more than £30m for Juan Mata in 2014 and Dimitar Berbatov in 2008
Manchester United like to label themselves as the biggest club in the world - this does not seem to be a view shared by the many elite players in the current era.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, ably assisted by David Gill, United had an excellent success rate in pulling off the big deals when they needed them. There were occasional misses, such as when United could not close a deal for Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, but plenty of hits too.
Since Ferguson's departure, and Gill's replacement with Woodward, United's interest is no guarantee of getting a deal over the line.
Pedro may not have actually been a priority signing but it will be a blow to United's giant ego and profile that it will be perceived he has snubbed them for Premier League rivals Chelsea - a fate they appear likely to suffer even more starkly if long-time defensive target-Nicolas Otamendi-moves from Valencia to Manchester City as expected.
It also appears United were the collateral damage for Premier League champions Chelsea's painful start to the season, the instant reaction to Sunday's-3-0 loss at Manchester City-being the deal to sign Pedro.
This all comes hard on the heels of the lengthy courting of-Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos,-who was first the subject of a £28m offer that had no chance of being accepted, then a potential exchange with goalkeeper-David de Gea.
The suspicion among outsiders was that United were simply being strung along before the Spain defender signed a lucrative new deal at the Bernabeu - suspicions confirmed when he signed a five-year contract.
It was a pattern that first emerged whenDavid Moyes-succeeded Ferguson as manager and proposed deals for Everton's Leighton Baines, Cesc Fabregas (who moved from Barcelona to Chelsea) and another former Barcelona player Thiago Alcantara, who went to Bayern Munich, were among those that failed to materialise.
For all United's global fanbase, their mixed recent transfer record is proof that they are now back among thback. ck when it comes to the world's top clubs, even when it comes to competing with domestic rivals such as Chelsea and Manchester City.
It may be a tough message to take - but one that is supported by hard evidence.