To think, there were concerns among some sections of the Manchester United support that the summer transfer window would end with just the two signings.
In the space of one Saturday afternoon, the Red Devils pretty much doubled their tally of new faces to four.
While Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are not yet Manchester United players – at least, not officially – the Bayern Munich duo are all-but. The duo, who played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, were spotted signing autographs as they arrived in England for a medical on Monday.
And, given the speed and the decisiveness with which Ineos have operated during their first summer at the helm, do not be surprised if De Ligt, Mazraoui, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee are joined at Old Trafford by another new face before the Premier League campaign kicks off at home to Fulham this weekend.
Especially with a deal that appeared to have stalled accelerating once again.
French reporter Loic Tanzi claims on X that Manuel Ugarte is no longer training with the rest of Paris Saint-Germain’s first-team squad.
The Uruguayan midfielder is seemingly not part of Luis Enrique’s plans. PSG appear keen to move him on after bringing in Joao Neves from Benfica, with Ugarte likely to be absent from Friday’s Ligue 1 curtain-raiser with Le Havre.
Manchester United remain in Manuel Ugarte talks
If that was not enough to boost the hopes of Man United fans desperate to see more mobility and aggression added to a one-paced midfield, Fabrizio Romano then took to social media to provide a very promising update of his own.
Writing on X, Romano claims that Jorge Mendes – Ugarte’s highly-influential agent – has crossed the Channel in order to hold further talks with United.
Mendes is understood to have an excellent relationship with Ineos, too.
Personal terms have already been agreed; Man United have clearly learned from 2022’s humiliating Frenkie de Jong saga.
And while PSG’s £50 million asking price has proven prohibitive so far, Ineos have already demonstrated that they have a knack for getting things their own way.
Bayern Munich, after all, have agreed to sell De Ligt and Mazraoui for a combined up-front fee of just over £51 million, less than their initial asking price.
Ugarte has made clear he wants to join Manchester United, and is not willing to entertain offers from other clubs.
Erik ten Hag still needs a midfielder at Old Trafford
Ten Hag was coy when quizzed on the prospect of further incomings after the unfortunate penalty shoot-out defeat by Pep Guardiola’s Man City in Saturday’s Community Shield.
He did admit, however, that there are still ‘problems’ that must be solved. The lack of options in the number six role being one of the main ones.
“When we have some news, we will announce it,” Ten Hag said, via The Guardian. “Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available.
It’s clear we have the problems and we have to work. The players have to work to be available and the staff have to work.
“Together, it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
