Manchester United and their chief transfer negotiator Ed Woodward has become the butt of numerous jokes over the last couple of days, after they lost out Nicolas Otamendi and Pedro to bitter rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

Lest we forget Liverpool also beat Manchester United to another target earlier this summer, Roberto Firmino.

Woodward was hailed as a transfer mogul earlier this summer after quickly wrapping up deals to bring Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian to Old Trafford. But he is now being roundly mocked with United missing out on a couple of high profile targets.

However, it's not completely fair on United, who have been linked with pretty much every top player in Europe and beyond this summer - and continue to be linked.

So often are Manchester United involved in transfer rumours that we've even managed to put together a 23-man squad (it's a bit top heavy) of players that have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Some have moved to other clubs, some are staying put - with hefty new deals gleaned off of United interest - while others are still in with the chance of a move.

Scroll through the gallery to see our squad...

Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Show all 23 1 /23 Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets GOALKEEPERS: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) Still a possibility depending on what happens with David De Gea. He is a top player and it's a move that would make a lot of sense. PA Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Jasper Cillessen (Ajax) See Lloris - except he's not quite as good. But he is Dutch. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets DEFENDERS: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) Played United like a kipper, earning himself a whopping new contract to stay in Madrid. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City) This one will hurt. The former Valencia centre-back should prove to be excellent for City - United were said to be leading the charge. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund) A rumour that went on and on and on before dying away - maybe he just wanted better terms all along. Probably the exact player United need. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) United were supposed to be battling Chelsea for the hottest defensive prospect in football. Why would Real Madrid sell? Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) One of numerous right-backs linked with the club before they moved for Matteo Darmian. The England man chose the Reds over United and Chelsea, impressed by Brendan Rodgers. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Seamus Coleman (Everton) Rafael Da Silva completely fell out of Van Gaal's plans last season - United were linked with numerous right-backs. Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Gregory van der Wiel (PSG) He's Dutch, he's a right-back - there didn't seem to be much else to it. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets MIDFIELDERS: Lucas Biglia (Lazio) Arguably the oddest rumour of the entire widow. An unheralded layer on the verge of turning 30 who plays in a position in which United are arguably strongest. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich) Manchester United were concerned about a lingering knee injury. Bayern Munich were clearly not. twitter.com/fcbayern Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid) The versatile Turk was said to be happy to move to the club but his £29m release clause was too high. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) Were leading the race for the Brazilian but only wanted to pay around £15m - Liverpool came in with a £30m bid to blow them out of the water. PA Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets FORWARDS: Pedro (Barcelona) Was in United's hands but dithering over a price allowed Chelsea to steal him. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) A new rumour, seems unlikely for a multitude of reasons. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Harry Kane (Tottenham) A budding young English star, he'd be a fit at Old Trafford - but he's not worth £50m. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) Has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford but Arsenal's interest is pushing up the price. Getty Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Edinson Cavani (PSG) Seemed realistic for a time with Cavani unhappy in Paris - but the French club appear to have picked him over ageing star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Dream on... GETTY IMAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) Until he lives up to his world record price tag a move back to the Premier League will always be on the cards. GETTY MAGES Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) Van Gaal's 'star pupil', United have appearently lodged a £60m bid. Bayern unlikely to sell one of their biggest assets, who has been at the club since he was 11. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Sadio Mane (Southampton) A legitimate, if odd, bit of gossip. Southampton don't want to sell the 23-year-old but he may have had his head turned. Getty Images Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) Has been put up for sale by the French champions and was linked with Man United, because why not? Getty images

--

Goalkeepers: Lloris, Cilllessen.

Defenders: Coleman, Ramos, Otamendi, Hummels, Clyne, Varane, Van der Wiel.

Midfielders: Biglia, Vidal, Turan, Firmino.

Forwards: Pedro, Griezmann, Kane, Benzema, Cavani, Ronaldo, Bale, Muller, Mane, Ibrahimovic.

The rumour mill keeps turning.