Manchester United have had their struggles this season but so have fellow top six rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.
Record signing Nicolas Pepe is yet to fire for the Gunners, while Christian Eriksen’s drop off is concerning for their north London rivals.
United were linked with both men during the summer but their form so far this season suggests two expensive transfer bullets were dodged.
Pepe struggling to adjust
The Sun linked United with a swoop for Pepe back in June, before Arsenal broke the bank to sign him for a reported £72 million (BBC) in August.
He was incredibly underwhelming when the Gunners came to Old Trafford, outshone by Bukayo Saka, and has just the one Premier League goal – from the penalty spot against Aston Villa – to show for his efforts so far.
Pepe has shown flickers of skill and pace, but a shortage of end product and missed an absolute sitter against Sheffield United last month.
United still need a right winger but on the early evidence, Pepe would not have been the right man and there has been precious little to suggest he’s a player worth £72 million.
He is struggling adjust to English football – Daniel James has hit the ground running far more quickly, and cost a fraction of the price.
Eriksen frustrating Tottenham fans
The Times reported back in June that Daniel Levy valued Eriksen at over £130 million, which unsurprisingly didn’t attract any takers given the Dane had just one year left on his contract.
By August, Spanish outlet AS were claiming he would cost £60 million to any English suitors, which appeared to interest United further.
But United have had their issues negotiating with Daniel Levy before, over Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov – nobody drives a harder bargain.
Eriksen would have wanted a substantial wage rise to come to United and realistically, he wanted to leave Tottenham to pursue a new challenge abroad.
Like Angel di Maria, he’d have been coming to United because nobody else could afford him, not because he’s desperate to wear the red shirt.
And he has not come close to his best this term, showing a lack of pace and urgency reminiscent of Juan Mata at a time when United are looking to focus on hungry domestic talent. Even at over half the price first quoted this summer, Eriksen would have represented another expensive mistake.
A lifeless performance at Anfield last month was a new nadir for Eriksen, and Tottenham now look far better when he doesn’t play.
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