Manchester United were slow in the transfer window this summer. Painfully slow.

Three players were signed, with the promise of more to come in future transfer windows.

The Manchester Evening News report United want to sign four players over the next two transfer windows. That’s probably one in January and three next summer.

The piece-meal approach directed by Ed Woodward would make more sense if United were in a better state.

These four signings along with the three we did make should all have been made this past summer.

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Opportunity cost

Only a real spending spree will do. The slow approach is looking costly already.

It has meant United have entered this season with a sub-standard squad, which is already being stretched by injuries

And it also makes the club’s task harder in January too.

Clubs know United are desperate to sign players, and will hike prices up further. It is already costly to do business mid-season as it is.

 

The state of the team also makes United less attractive to players.

Would Jadon Sancho really want to be a part of this United side right now?

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The further United fall away, the harder it is to climb back up the mountain.

Only a proper spending spree will get United back on track. Signing as many as three players in January and five next summer should not be classed as impossible. Not at Manchester United.

The squad is so far behind that this is what is required. Signing just one player in January will not be enough.

The rumoured ‘four additions’ do not stack up, especially with player departures likely once again. Too many need clearing out.

It is not about the amount of money which is spent. It’s about the number of players, and having more quality competition in the squad.

By next summer the damage may be too far gone, and a drastic, more aggressive change of approach is required to get United back to where the club should be.

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