Manchester United's co-owners Avram and Joel Glazer reportedly blocked Marcos Rojo's proposed moved to Everton this summer as they see the Toffees as a direct rival for European places this season.
The Argentina international had been tipped to move to Goodison Park following a late offer from Everton, with Rojo believed to be surplus to requirements at United due to the arrival of Harry Maguire from Leicester City.
But Rojo's move eventually fell through, with The Times now claiming that a transfer was personally blocked by Manchester United's owners as they didn't want to strengthen a direct rival for European qualification.