Manchester United failed in transfer deadline day bid for Livingston starlet Matthew Knox

Manchester United were keen to sign Livingston teenager Matthew Knox but saw a deadline day bid turned away by the Scottish Championship club. Knox, 16, spent a week on trial with United in January, according to the Daily Mail, having previously spent time with both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

As reported by the East Lothian Courier, Livingston rejected an offer from Championship side Nottingham Forest in the final week of the January window. And according to Knox's father, it was United who made the final bid for the midfielder, only to see their offer turned down.

"Manchester United came back in for him yesterday [Monday 1 February] and there was interest from Queens Park Rangers but Livi are holding onto him," Matthew Knox Snr was quoted as saying by the same publication. "It is a good feeling knowing that these clubs want him."

According to the paper, Knox impressed United staff with an impressive strike past now ex-United goalkeeper Victor Valdes in training.

The teenager became Livingston's youngest-ever player when he took to the field against St Mirren on Boxing Day last year.

United endured a quiet January transfer window where they failed to bring in a single new face. Adnan Januzaj returned to the club after Borussia Dortmund agreed to cancel his loan spell at the German side while goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was also recalled, but the rest of United's business was limited to outgoing deals.

Valdes left the club to sign for Belgian club Standard Liege on loan while promising midfielder Ben Pearson signed for Preston North End on a permanent deal. Forwards Ashley Fletcher and Nick Powell left to join Barnsley and Hull City respectively on loan.