Manchester United have failed to sign any of their key summer transfer targets and have resorted to last minute buys to plug the holes in their starting lineup. Where have we seen this sad story before?
Oh right, this transfer window has gone exactly like the 2020 summer window. Actually, they have been identical.
In 2020, United had just come off a disappointing 3rd place finish (where they were out of Champions League race all season long but for the final two weeks) and a semi-final loss to Sevilla in the Europa League, but there was a reserved bit of optimism under Ole with a more experienced roster and some potential new transfers.
Yet, after months of failed negotiations after failed negotiations (for Jadon Sancho, mainly), no one was brought in for the new Premier League season. Then, after a 6-1 loss to Tottenham, the United hierarchy panicked and bought Edison Cavani, Facundo Pellistri, and Amad Diallo on the 2020 Deadline Day.
What has happened this window? United, who came off a disastrous 6th place finish in the Premier League but had some reserved optimism for new manager Erik ten Hag and his potential new signings.
Yet, the club has spent months in stalled negotiations with Barcelona their #1 target (Frenkie de Jong), lost a very disappointing 2-1 opening day game to Brighton, and now have resolved to try to buy “panic buys” in Marko Arnautovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Adrien Rabiot to plug the GLARING HOLES IN THE MIDFIELD AND ATTACK!!!
I really don’t think I can stomach watching the circus clowns, Scott McTominay and Fred, bumble around and give the ball away in the midfield any longer. It is just outrageous to think that these players are approaching 200 games played for the club.
Anyway, I must say that I do think these three players all have the potential to be great for Man United. Especially Milinkovic-Savic. He has been a long-admired target of United and has continued to prove that he is not a “one-season-wonder” by playing great for Lazio.
Still, why weren’t these players brought in much early on in the window. United would have been easily able to divert their energy on buying Savic, Rabiot, and Arnautovic in the early days of the window, along with the signings of Martinez, Eriksen, and Malacia, to then spend the final few months on trying to bring in de Jong. But the hierarchy of United have failed to act in another crucial summer transfer window for ANOTHER YEAR!
John Murdough and Richard Arnold’s reputations is on the line now. Even though they haven’t been in the job for too long, their near criminal incompetence has been nothing less than disgraceful and abysmal in their transfer negotiations. If they can’t get in de Jong, Arnautovic, Rabiot, AND Savic (or suitable replacements) before the final hours of September 1st, then they should be sacked.
There is no word in the English language that represents how embarrassing this transfer window debacle has been.
Manchester United just can’t seem to catch a break. Is this the price for 30 years of excellence?
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