For a manager of a club as big as Manchester United, it is never easy to see opposition managers get all sorts of backing in the transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has so far only welcome one new face at Old Trafford in the shape of Donny van de Beek. The young Dutchman was initially linked with a move to Real Madrid but due to the current financial climate, the Spaniards chose not to spend as lavishly as they do in transfer markets.
This is why, United lured the talented midfielder away from Ajax. However, that move had nothing to do with Ed Woodward’s negotiating skills. The club’s supremo gets quite a bad rep for never being able to seal moves for prospective targets and while such statements can be a little unfair, even the most distant punters willing to use US bonus codes would put there money on Woodward having yet another disastrous window.
Frank Lampard is relatively new to football management but has been given a lot of backing in the transfer market by the Chelsea management. The Blues got most of their transfer business done quite early, bringing in Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva.
Knowing that Kepa Arrizabalaga was struggling, Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was also signed.
Liverpool might not have been that active but the signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich is a shrewd acquisition.
In a similar vein, Manchester City have been genuinely concerned about the areas they needed to improve on. Defense was an issue last season and Pep Guardiola was able to bring in Nathan Ake from Bournemouth. Moreover, Ruben Diaz was also signed from Benfica which means that Aymeric Laporte has a trustworthy partner on his hands.
The departure of Leroy Sane was a big blow but the arrival of Ferran Torres from Valencia gives City another good long term option down the flanks. The Citizens may have lost their title to Liverpool by some margin but it is clear that they have a plan this time around.
The likes of Everton and Leicester City have also invested very smartly in the transfer window which piles further pressure on Manchester United.
Throughout the summer transfer window, The Red Devils have been trying to bring Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. However, the Germans are not too eager to allow their star player to leave and have reportedly rejected United’s latest offer for the England international.
Solskjaer has been chasing the gifted winger for quite some time and in all honesty, this move should have been finalized. However, the fact that Ed Woodward has been thrifty in his dealings, now threaten the chances of this deal ever happening.
United are now looking at alternatives that include Watford’s jet-footed winger Ismaila Sarr and Barcelona winger Ousmanne Dembele.
Defense has been an issue as well. Harry Maguire is not the fastest center-back on the planet while Victor Lindelof is always one mistake away from catastrophe. The Swede is clearly not good enough to start on a weekly basis yet United haven’t made any movements in this regard.
Down the left back position, Luke Shaw is also no longer the hot prospect he once was during his time at Southampton. The Englishman is a marauding full-back but seems far from imaginative in attacking phases.
Following a very indifferent start to the new campaign which started with a 3-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace, Manchester United should consider themselves lucky that they were able to beat Brighton in their second league outing.
With Tottenahm set to visit on Sunday and the transfer window shutting down on October 5, Manchester United might be in for a very testing season.
