Manchester United's chase for Toby Alderweireld was one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer.

That's certainly saying something when you consider the Red Devils never made a formal bid in the end, but supporters were constantly given updates on price disputes and changing opinions.

In the end, it seems Jose Mourinho turned his focus to centre-backs such as Jerome Boateng, Yerry Mina and Diego Godin in vein.

The transfer window was certainly a disappointing one for the club with Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant proving the only signings after such a promising start with the Fred capture.

And it will be the aforementioned chase for a centre-back that will pain Mourinho the most as he looks to launch a raid on the Premier League title in his third season at the club.

United's chase for Alderweireld

For Tottenham, holding onto Alderweireld must feel like a new signing yet his complicated contract situation means they could lose him for a cut-price come January.

Nevertheless, it bides them time to potentially offer the Belgian a new contract in case United come sniffing around again in 2019.

Given the lack of action on United's part, though, there's plenty of reason to suggest that might not be the case.

What Man Utd and Spurs really discussed

Not only that but according to the BBC, both clubs did hold transfer talks during the summer and they actually had nothing to do with Alderweireld or any defenders for that matter.

As part of the publication's post mortem on United's transfer window, journalist Simon Stones has revealed that Daniel Levy and Ed Woodward were in contact.

However, that singular conversation saw Tottenham enquire about the availability of Juan Mata and Anthony Martial.

Very brave from Spurs to say the very least and it will come as little surprise that United rejected the approach when talks concluded. 

The Red Devils had shown a lack of enthusiasm over selling Martial to one of their Premier League rivals - regardless of Alderweireld being included - and it seems the same goes for Mata.

Both players would have been seriously impressive coups for Tottenham who, in the end, have become the first team in Premier League history to go a summer transfer window with no signings.

And with both clubs perceived to have experienced poor summers in the market, it will be intriguing to see how the two clubs will get on in 2018-19.

After all, keeping up with the likes of heavy-spending Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City appears a very difficult task on paper.

United will have to find solace in the fact they've kept Martial and Mata despite all the exciting rumours and opportunities. Onward and upwards.

Where do you think Man Utd will finish this season? Have your say in the comments section below.