Renato Sanches: Manchester United fans react to transfer target signing for Bayern Munich

Supporters on social media were keen to vent their anger at executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward

Supporters are unhappy with Woodward's management of transfers at Old Trafford (Getty)

Manchester United scouted Renato Sanches extensively, reportedly watching him week in and week out, but all to no avail.

The 18-year-old Benfica midfielder, one of the continent's most sought-after young talents, has agreed a £27.6million move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Sanches, who has signed a five-year contract with the Bavarian club, will join his new club from the start of the 2016/17 season and becomes the fourth most-expensive teenage signing in the history of world football.

Given his status as a client of Jorge Mendes and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward's links with the Portuguese agent, many United supporters expected Sanches to turn up at Old Trafford in time for the new season.

United's interest in the teenager is believed to have been genuine, with the club's scouts keen on snaring him ahead of other members of European football's elite.

However, like a number of targets during Woodward's tenure, Sanches has slipped through the club's fingers and decided that he is better off elsewhere.

Supporters on social media predictably reacted in a furious fashion to the news that United had once again been gazumped in the transfer market.

Here's the best of the reaction from Twitter...

Sanches' name now joins those of Thiago Alcantara, Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas as players who the club have missed out on.