Ed Woodward reportedly pulled the plug on the signing of Paulo Dybala this summer.
United held talks with Juventus towards the end of the transfer window over a sensational deal to take Dybala to Old Trafford.
The package of the deal proved to be too costly for United due to the transfer fee, wages and Dybala's image rights.
And it appears United's executive vice-chairman was keen to avoid history repeating itself at Old Trafford.
United paid out a huge salary to Alexis Sanchez to lure him from Arsenal , a deal that has ultimately proved to be a massive mistake.
The Chilean is set to finalise his move to Inter Milan and after deciding to let him go earlier this month, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer considered a move for Dybala.
But the Argentine's wage demands were believed to be around £18m-a-year, close to around £350,000-a-week.
The Athletic reports Dybala's agent fees would also have totalled a staggering £13m.
But after the Sanchez deal hit United hard, Woodward decided it was time to walk away from signing Dybala, who now looks set to remain with Juventus.
United managed to beat the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea to land Sanchez in January 2018.
But issues with the Chilean's form and fitness have led to him being surplus to requirements under Solskjaer.
He is expected to finalise his loan move to Inter Milan later this week as Antonio Cone looks to salvage his career.
