Report: Juventus' Mandzukic said no to Manchester United this summer

The failure of Manchester United to secure their top transfer targets this summer has been highly publicized, and it appears another star may have slipped through their net.

Manager Jose Mourinho was unsuccessful in attempts to convince Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic to move to Old Trafford, according to calciomercato.com's Fabrizio Romano.

Romano notes Mandzukic, who reached the World Cup final with Croatia this summer, was Mourinho's first-choice attacking target and suggests the Portuguese boss did everything he could to convince the 32-year-old to join his charges.

Though United staff, including under-fire executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, is thought to have vetoed many of Mourinho's transfer targets this summer, it appears to have agreed on Mandzukic being a desirable addition, as an offer of €5 million per year was reportedly submitted by the Red Devils. That would have marked a significant increase on the striker's current €3.5-million-per-year packet.

However, the man who scored three times for his country in Russia this summer, including in the 4-2 defeat to France in the final, turned down the opportunity. Romano suggests a primary factor in Mandzukic's decision was Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri reassuring the striker he would continue to have a key role in the team. Despite the blockbuster signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Allegri is thought to consider it vital the Bianconeri keep Mandzukic as they pursue glory on both domestic and continental fronts.

United's only major summer signings were Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and teenage Porto full-back Diogo Dalot. The 20-time English champions have started this season shakily, narrowly beating Leicester City before falling to unfancied Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

Meanwhile, Mandzukic, given an extended break after his nation's World Cup exploits, came off the bench for the final half-hour of Juventus' 3-2 win at Chievo in their Serie A opener.