Manchester United’s transfer business has slowed down to almost a halt after making two quick signings of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
However, some injuries in pre-season and outgoings gathering pace could see them once again become active in signing players.
With just 20 days left in the market and the Premier League season starting in less than a week, the need for reinforcements is getting urgent.
Seems like United recognise this and are ready to end the window on a high with their ambitious plan coming together.
Fabrizio Romano’s Man Utd transfer update
After signing two players, United’s priority was thought to be in defensive midfield but the demands for Manuel Ugarte caused them to pivot.
Leny Yoro’s injury made centre-back a target again so they went back to Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt.
A double bid for De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui was also rejected as United keep waiting for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to exit, freeing up wages and some transfer funds.
Fabrizio Romano has now said on his YouTube channel that United are set a a “really busy” end to the window, with three players coming through the door, potentially four. [United comments at 6.02]
Of these three, the two are usual suspects- De Ligt and Mazraoui, as Romano says the confidence is increasing on Wan-Bissaka’s departure, paving the way for this double deal.
Once this is secure, Ten Hag is looking to scratch his itch for a left-footed centre-back for cheap by honing in on free agent Mario Hermoso.
Hermoso can also play as a left-back, thereby giving options on two positions. After leaving Atletico Madrid, the 29-year-old is still looking for a new club and negotiations with no team are advanced, leaving the way clear for United.
According to Romano, these are the three signings that are likely to happen, but there is a potential for fourth which, as per many United fans, should arguably be the priority.
The defensive midfield chase hit a snag with Ugarte development but new names got linked immediately, like Sander Berge, whose style of play arguably fits United better.
Romano says that’s a position they are looking at for reinforcements and as per sales, could strengthen before the end of the window.
A ‘controlled’ mad dash
It might look like United are going back to the Glazer days of leaving their work till the end of the window but the air is different this time around.
For one, the financial factors make doing deals quickly beyond their control so they are forced to wait for other dominos to fall instead.
Secondly, there is a sense of planning to deals that are dragging and being held up only because of things not in their hands.
For example, personal terms with De Ligt and Mazraoui are already sorted and further targets, plus backups to them, have also been identified if there’s a need to pivot.
This is far removed from the mad trolley dash United used to go on before Ineos came along, with panic signings aging into albatrosses on United’s contract books.
If United end the window with four more signings, it will be an unqualified success considering the restrictions they were operating under.
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