Bournemouth star King used and messed after Utd signed Ighalo (Athletic)

Bournemouth striker Joshua King was 'used and messed about' by Manchester United on transfer deadline day.

In one of the more surprising transfer stories before the window shut, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were linked with the Norwegian.

According to the Athletic, the prevailing feeling was that King felt 'used and messed around' as United made encouraging noises with a £25million offer before turning to Odion Ighalo.

King was ready to travel up to Manchester to rejoin the side he signed for as a 16-year-old but was frustrated when the club did not follow up on their interest.

The 28-year-old is currently sidelined from Bournemouth's relegation battle with a hamstring injury.

It is understood that £30m would have been accepted by Eddie Howe's side but United wanted a loan and turned their attention elsewhere.

They brought in former Watford man Ighalo, paying a third of his £300,000-per-week wages for Shanghai Shenua.