Ian Maatsen to Man United: 'Surprise' twist emerges after Aston Villa 'decision'
Manchester United did not consider Ian Maatsen as a top target despite aiming to sign a left-back on transfer deadline day.
The Aston Villa defender had been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, with reports they could look to pull off a loan move before tonight's 11pm deadline.
However, Michael Carrick is set to consider other options before the window closes, while it remains a possibility that no new signing is made in that position.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that it would have been a "huge surprise" to see the Red Devils make a move for Maatsen at this stage.
This comes after reports claimed that Aston Villa have made a decision not to let Maatsen leave, as Unai Emery views him as an important part of their plans for the season.
Carrick remains keen to add a left-back to his squad before the deadline, but is also said to be content to keep Luke Shaw, who has proven his fitness over the last 12 months.
Could Man United make a late move for Ian Maatsen?
Football Insider revealed on 22 August that Man United are prioritising a move for a new left-back in the closing stages of the transfer window after missing out on Lewis Hall.
Maatsen had been linked with a move to Old Trafford as a result, with Carrick's side considering a number of options across the Premier League and in Europe.
However, the interest was never as advanced as some had suggested, and the left-back was never considered likely to complete a move to Man United.
"I would be very surprised to see Ian Maatsen join Man United," Brown told Football Insider.
"He's a decent Premier League player, and I don't doubt he's been on Man United's radar if they are looking for a new left-back, but it was never anything really advanced.
"After they sold Digne, Aston Villa aren't going to be looking to sell another left-back, because it will leave them very short of options.
"So it doesn't strike me as a deal that's going to be done, I don't think either club are especially keen on it at the moment, even if United are looking for a left-back.
"Michael Carrick obviously wants to strengthen his options, but I'm told he is happy to stick with Luke Shaw if it comes to it, because he has proven he can stay fit now.
"He's the current first choice for Carrick, who clearly trusts him, so they're not desperate to the point of scrambling around to just sign any old left-back."
How do Aston Villa feel about selling Maatsen?
Despite ongoing speculation about a move to Man United, it appears any move for Maatsen will be rejected by Aston Villa, with the club keen not to lose another key player.
That comes as a U-turn on their stance earlier this summer, as Brown told Football Insider that Emery was prepared to see Maatsen move on before the window closed.
However, that was before Villa sold Digne to Paris Saint-Germain, while they have also seen an exodus of big-name stars including the likes of Ezri Konsa and Morgan Rogers.
Aston Villa are reluctant to lose any more players before tonight's deadline as a result, and have now ruled out any possibility of selling Maatsen.
Instead, he will have a key role to play in Emery's plans for the coming season, despite what has been a difficult start to their Premier League campaign.