So, according to the gossip Barca would sell to them last month but the player didn't want to go.
United's solution? Offer even more money to the club, who had already indicated they'd accept the previous offer, and even more money to the player, who has been very clear in that he doesn't want to play for Manchester United. Hence why no official offer was made to the club. No point in buying a Ferrari if you're disqualified from driving.
If he signs then ok he's a good player but I imagine he'll be on £400k a week or more, the expectation on his shoulders will be immense, as will the slander if he doesn't single handedly win them a game, no champions league football, some poor players around him who are busy infighting, and at a club with a track record of destroying talent. If he doesn't then it makes them look even more small time.
In reality nothing has changed, the journals are just under orders to keep United in the news in a positive way. They want him, he doesn't want them. Their footballing project isn't attractive enough so they're back to offering more money in a desperate bid to keep up with 4th and avoid more green and gold protests. The 'nited way.
Roll on, the train of consequences!