Why has nothing happened yet? | Things are now happening

[Josep Dowling]

By the way: Ed Woodward does not close negotiations, Matt Judge does. Matt Judge has a masters degree in economics and 13 years experience as a investment banker. He's lightyears more qualified than you or me to negotiate a big transfer.

What does being an investment banker have anything to do with transfer negotiations in football? Two completely different businesses. He clearly doesn't have a clue what he's doing considering the crazy wages and contract extensions he has done this year alone. Everything that man has done has increased United's outgoings without any benefit on the football pitch, where it should matter.

 

[matt10000]

What does being an investment banker have anything to do with transfer negotiations in football? Two completely different businesses. He clearly doesn't have a clue what he's doing considering the crazy wages and contract extensions he has done this year alone. Everything that man has done has increased United's outgoings without any benefit on the football pitch, where it should matter.

Maybe we should recruit someone who really knows how the other side of the negotiating table are going to think such as Jorge Mendes....

 

[Bestietom]

Things are very slow, but hope some business will be done this week or early next week. Same thing last year and we were in Champions league, so can't blame it on that.

 

[romufc]

1) Wan-Bissaka is the most expensive fullback in the world (unless im mistaken, I might be, don't shoot me) - That alone is a big thing.

Yes, I agree it is a big thing - and I said fantastic signing one we definitely required.

2) Why are you using the only club that signed players of significance as an example here? What about Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea? All of them have been slow to sign. Are they also incompetent, or could there convceivably be a good reason why nothing happens until late?

Chelsea have a transfer ban - in case you are not aware - this means you cannot sign new players? hence they bought Pulisic in Jan and signed Kovacic.

Liverpool - have a good enough squad with 1/2 additions to enhance it - their squad as you saw last season is good enough to win the league and champions league

Arsenal - They do not have the budget.

Spurs - Have a team to challenge and have made 2 signings.

But you mention I ONLY mention Real - lets look around Europe - Bayern started signing in Feb, Barca in March, Juventus in Jan.

I compared to Real because like us they required a rebuild too.

3. Wan-Bissaka was on international duty, when duty ended, Wan-Bissaka was signed.

. It is a long transfer window.

And your point is? Ole mentioned before the window, I want my signings before pre -season so the players can integrate in the team.

No seriously, why do you think that we haven't signed more players yet? What is your actual reason other than thinking that everyone but you knows how to sign football players? I would genuinely like to know because you seems to be pissed out about the situation.

I did not mention that I know how to sign players, all I am doing is comparing Manchester United (biggest club) against other bigger clubs like Real, Juve, Bayen, Barca, City, Liverpoool. These clubs are efficient in how they are run.

Liverpool knew they needed a keeper and midfield last season - they signed Fabinho, keita early and got a keeper in early.

My point is when a club the size of Manutd know alot of work needs to be done in terms of getting players both in and out, you act.

Your last comment on Matt Judge credentials - ofcourse to be in the position at a club like Manutd you will have such credentials.

It is fine for a club saying almost 24 months ago that a DOF will be appointed. But it is fine because the club has people with great credentials.

Why is Ole hired? where are his credentials?

 

[Craig Ward]

Yes. We sign a young player who seems significantly better than Young while reducing our previous full back to the bench. Otherwise we would have no back up for our first team players.

Unless you want part of our budget this year going on a back up left back, it makes sense to keep Young.

I understand the logic, however i'd be in favour of getting Young as far away from our matchday team as humanly possible.

Football is ruthless and we have endured abysmal performance from average players for too long.

Look at the clubs winning leagues, they have outstanding talent and extremely good back ups. If we want to compete again, a LB scenario of Shaw/Tierney/Dalot looks a damn sight better than Shaw/Young/Dalot!

Its not just young btw - Rojo/Jones/Lingard/Smalling/Darmian/Sanchez all hit the bracket of players who should be discarded

Your logic is sound, just not fitting for our requirements.

City are replacing Fernandinho with Rodri, while Fernandhino would still walk into most teams in Europe. We are supposed to be happy keeping young as 2nd choice RB? He's not even a full back!

Our standard and mentality has dropped. If we keep playing Young & Co, we will not improve, Simple

 

[Tom Cato]

What does being an investment banker have anything to do with transfer negotiations in football? Two completely different businesses. He clearly doesn't have a clue what he's doing considering the crazy wages and contract extensions he has done this year alone. Everything that man has done has increased United's outgoings without any benefit on the football pitch, where it should matter.

Matt Judge does not negotiate with football in mind at all. His role in the club is not to judge players, he's part of the clubs financial operations. For all Matt Judge cares he's negotiating the price of tomatoes. His role is to land the best possible deal for the club, while fighting off bids from clubs that are potentially better suited to land the player if bids and salaries are equal.

Ed Woodward is the man that approves transfers, Judge negotiates.

So in the terms of what does being an investment banker have to do with anything? It has everything to do with it. The point I made that everyone seems to disagree with, is that he's qualified by the nature of his former profession. One of the most important functions he has is to put a price on the clubs capital, and how much of the allocated resources is safe enough to put into an object. He'll use the information being given to him by the clubs scouting department and everyone else who has an input, and you land on an amount that the clubs financial structure can easily live with.

For all the bluster and hatres, the clubs finances are rock solid despite all the debt following the Galzer takeover, much thanks to these men.

 

[Tom Cato]

Yes, I agree it is a big thing - and I said fantastic signing one we definitely required.


Chelsea have a transfer ban - in case you are not aware - this means you cannot sign new players? hence they bought Pulisic in Jan and signed Kovacic.

Liverpool - have a good enough squad with 1/2 additions to enhance it - their squad as you saw last season is good enough to win the league and champions league

Arsenal - They do not have the budget.

Spurs - Have a team to challenge and have made 2 signings.

But you mention I ONLY mention Real - lets look around Europe - Bayern started signing in Feb, Barca in March, Juventus in Jan.

I compared to Real because like us they required a rebuild too.






And your point is? Ole mentioned before the window, I want my signings before pre -season so the players can integrate in the team.



I did not mention that I know how to sign players, all I am doing is comparing Manchester United (biggest club) against other bigger clubs like Real, Juve, Bayen, Barca, City, Liverpoool. These clubs are efficient in how they are run.

Liverpool knew they needed a keeper and midfield last season - they signed Fabinho, keita early and got a keeper in early.

My point is when a club the size of Manutd know alot of work needs to be done in terms of getting players both in and out, you act.

Your last comment on Matt Judge credentials - ofcourse to be in the position at a club like Manutd you will have such credentials.

It is fine for a club saying almost 24 months ago that a DOF will be appointed. But it is fine because the club has people with great credentials.

Why is Ole hired? where are his credentials?

I know Chelsea has a transfer ban, I simply forgot in the heat of the moment since I was thinking about Reals signing of Hazard. No need to harp on a meaningless mistake.

Manchester United were never going to do any signings in the first quarter, jesus. Ole was hired late march. Do you think the club are going to buy players before a manager is in place? The manager in this club dictates who the club buys. The club attempting to do any type of first team business before a new manager is in place would have been a complete waste of time if they hire another manager who wants a different set of players. You know this so I think its pretty disingenous if you to put those examples forward to make your case. The managerial situations of the clubs are not comparable. Is your opinion that the club should have bought players without a manager? In what world does that happen?

We have signed 2 first team players, have made an official bid for a third and will close 2 more at least in short time with Fernandes and Longstaff.

The players might still be signed before pre-season, we don't know that do we? Although time is running short, the world doesnt end if they are not in place before the tour starts.

We still have issues with Paul Pogba and Lukaku that must be resolved before we can act on those positions, I'm sure you'd agree? The players just returned from vacation, that work begins right now. In Lukakus place that work is ongoing, and the potential suitor(s) arne't coughing upt he money we want. At least not yet. But just to soothe your demands, the club went out of their way and agreed terms with Wissam Ben Yedder in case Lukakus does get sold.

I have no idea why a DOF isn't appointed, I'd sure prefer one but it is what it is.

Ole was hired because the team were the best team in the Premier League at the time of appointing him manager.

Both Pep Guardiola and Zidane had much worse credentials when they were appointed managers of their respective clubs. They have proved that the experiment worked, we don't know yet if Ole will work or not. But the club is giving him every tool he needs to get the job done, so I'm happy about that.

And again, it's just so much better to be positive when things are moving along like they are supposed to, why spend energy being so negative about everything?

 

[romufc]

I know Chelsea has a transfer ban, I simply forgot in the heat of the moment since I was thinking about Reals signing of Hazard. No need to harp on a meaningless mistake.

Manchester United were never going to do any signings in the first quarter, jesus. Ole was hired late march. Do you think the club are going to buy players before a manager is in place? The manager in this club dictates who the club buys. The club attempting to do any type of first team business before a new manager is in place would have been a complete waste of time if they hire another manager who wants a different set of players. You know this so I think its pretty disingenous if you to put those examples forward to make your case. The managerial situations of the clubs are not comparable. Is your opinion that the club should have bought players without a manager? In what world does that happen?

We have signed 2 first team players, have made an official bid for a third and will close 2 more at least in short time with Fernandes and Longstaff.

The players might still be signed before pre-season, we don't know that do we? Although time is running short, the world doesnt end if they are not in place before the tour starts.

We still have issues with Paul Pogba and Lukaku that must be resolved before we can act on those positions, I'm sure you'd agree? The players just returned from vacation, that work begins right now. In Lukakus place that work is ongoing, and the potential suitor(s) arne't coughing upt he money we want. At least not yet. But just to soothe your demands, the club went out of their way and agreed terms with Wissam Ben Yedder in case Lukakus does get sold.

I have no idea why a DOF isn't appointed, I'd sure prefer one but it is what it is.

Ole was hired because the team were the best team in the Premier League at the time of appointing him manager.

Both Pep Guardiola and Zidane had much worse credentials when they were appointed managers of their respective clubs. They have proved that the experiment worked, we don't know yet if Ole will work or not. But the club is giving him every tool he needs to get the job done, so I'm happy about that.

And again, it's just so much better to be positive when things are moving along like they are supposed to, why spend energy being so negative about everything?

I agree with most of the things, I want players that the manager wants signed, and give him tools to succeed.

To do that, we need to give him what he wants? If he wanted 4/5 players get 3/4 before pre season and maybe 1 later on so he can integrate them. This is why on this occasion I want the business done early.

Ole knows the players at the club which he cannot trust, so pointless going into pre season playing the same players? wouldn't you agree?

I do think Fernandes and Longstaff would be good but we need to get a CB in, then it will be a successful window.

The Ole remark was not aimed to say we shouldnt have hired him, was in response to your credentials comment. Sometimes credentials do not matter, and if you look at my posts re Ole, I want him to do well and prove people wrong.

In respects to PP and Lukaku, it is clear Lukaku wants to go and Ole wouldn't mind that, his transfer fee is the only stumbling block, I agree with the club it has to be £75m. Especially with Inter after all they did the same to us a few years ago with Perisic. We should not give them an inch...

Paul on the other hand is very worrying because I can see this drag on and on late into the window, and I feel for Ole on this. He wants him, the club want him but he wants to leave but no club wants to pay the fee which should be £150m at the minimum. A decision has to be made, however good he is, if he has a conversation once back from vacation with Ole and wants to stay then keep him but if he wants to leave, I would have him on the bench and if he stays re-integrate him into the team later on. We cannot prepare for a season with a player in Ole's sysytem and come August he leaves, where will it leave all the preparation?

 

[Buster15]

To be honest, I am surprised that we have not sold any of the obvious candidates. We are only permitted a squad of 25.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

My prediction is we will sign 4 or 5 players and be pretty excited and optimistic then we will sell Pogba on the last day of the transfer window and bring us all back down.

 

[Smores]

It's a little embarrassing how desperate some are to always paint a happy picture.

We've made one proper signing before being back in training and likely before the tour. It's disappointing and likely problematic for our manager given his desire to have people in to prepare. There's nothing wrong with recognising when things aren't going to plan ffs.

 

[Swearing Budgie]

Matt Judge does not negotiate with football in mind at all. His role in the club is not to judge players, he's part of the clubs financial operations. For all Matt Judge cares he's negotiating the price of tomatoes. His role is to land the best possible deal for the club, while fighting off bids from clubs that are potentially better suited to land the player if bids and salaries are equal.

Ed Woodward is the man that approves transfers, Judge negotiates.

So in the terms of what does being an investment banker have to do with anything? It has everything to do with it. The point I made that everyone seems to disagree with, is that he's qualified by the nature of his former profession. One of the most important functions he has is to put a price on the clubs capital, and how much of the allocated resources is safe enough to put into an object. He'll use the information being given to him by the clubs scouting department and everyone else who has an input, and you land on an amount that the clubs financial structure can easily live with.

For all the bluster and hatres, the clubs finances are rock solid despite all the debt following the Galzer takeover, much thanks to these men.

But what is Ed basing this judgement on? And if Judge is just trying to negotiate the best financial package for the club, who is selling the project to prospective players?

Wasn't it Aaron Ramsey we could have signed before he went to Arsenal? Pretty sure it was him and he decided on Arsenal because Wenger actually met him personally and showed him the club and told him how he would fit into his plans, whereas Fergie didn't bother.

 

[Yagami]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Ole want all our signings done before pre season? 9 days left and we've bought a RB, a kid from the championship, and sold none of the deadwood.

 

[Shark]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Ole want all our signings done before pre season? 9 days left and we've bought a RB, a kid from the championship, and sold none of the deadwood.

It's appalling stuff, the club is inept from the top to bottom, it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that this season will be another straight from hell.

 

[0161_UNITED]

I’m having trouble with the whole “United can only work on one deal at a time” narrative becoming dogma on here. Nobody knows if that’s true or not. It’s funny how for transfer rumours the credibility of the journalist and source is immediately evaluated on here, but when it comes to “The club is run by incompetent imbeciles incapable of multi-tasking” the immediate response on here by some is, “It must be true! I told you our club is run by idiots serving their evil Floridian overlords. Fact.”

Look I have concerns with the owners and the club, too. It’s fair and legitimate to have those concerns, without jumping to extremes and accusing the club of complete incompetence and malevolence.

I wish Darmian and Rojo were sold already. Unfortunately, the club can’t force them to accept offers and can’t force other clubs to submit offers.

The club has identified the targets, I hope. Sometimes we just need to wait for a player to make a decision, before moving on. Sometimes we need to drag out negotiations with the selling club. “Just pay the release clause!” In Spain that seems to work, but remember Wenger’s classic £40 mil + £1 Suarez offer? Liverpool we’re basically like, yeah no, and we’ll drag it out through legal proceedings until the windows ends.

I’m also not sure the club expected what’s going on with Pogba. That might have caused the club to re-evaluate our whole strategy - top down. Likewise, with Lukaku. Maybe the club didn’t expect that, or maybe the club expected Inter to actually have the funds available for the transfer.

 

[M Bison]

But what is Ed basing this judgement on? And if Judge is just trying to negotiate the best financial package for the club, who is selling the project to prospective players?

Wasn't it Aaron Ramsey we could have signed before he went to Arsenal? Pretty sure it was him and he decided on Arsenal because Wenger actually met him personally and showed him the club and told him how he would fit into his plans, whereas Fergie didn't bother.

1. I suspect its like any business, there's a business case which is clearly documented and then an approval is sanctioned or not.

2. The contract occurs primarily with the agent doesnt it? So the selling of the dream is done before-hand i would have thought, the 2 are separate. Like buying a business, the lawyers get primary involvement is the DD and the finer detail.

 

[M Bison]

Matt Judge does not negotiate with football in mind at all. His role in the club is not to judge players, he's part of the clubs financial operations. For all Matt Judge cares he's negotiating the price of tomatoes. His role is to land the best possible deal for the club, while fighting off bids from clubs that are potentially better suited to land the player if bids and salaries are equal.

Ed Woodward is the man that approves transfers, Judge negotiates.

So in the terms of what does being an investment banker have to do with anything? It has everything to do with it. The point I made that everyone seems to disagree with, is that he's qualified by the nature of his former profession. One of the most important functions he has is to put a price on the clubs capital, and how much of the allocated resources is safe enough to put into an object. He'll use the information being given to him by the clubs scouting department and everyone else who has an input, and you land on an amount that the clubs financial structure can easily live with.

For all the bluster and hatres, the clubs finances are rock solid despite all the debt following the Galzer takeover, much thanks to these men.

I agree, the narrative that Ed Woodward isnt qualified to do his job is just ridiculous.

United is a business and a well run business at that, the product isnt performing where it should be but the business fundamentals will ensure the product is appropriately funded for the long term and through continued investment will thrive in time.

 

[Zen86]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Ole want all our signings done before pre season? 9 days left and we've bought a RB, a kid from the championship, and sold none of the deadwood.

I’m guessing they didn’t foresee the market to be as silly as it is right now. It might be in our interests to get transfers done fast and efficient, but selling clubs can smell blood this summer and they aren’t letting players go cheap.

 

[roseguy64]

That leaves a bloated squad though. And deadwood is hardly great to have around the training pitches, especially if they know they arent going to be getting games. Jones, Young, Mata could all have been moved on and their spaces taken up by the youth coming through.

Your mistake here is assuming that those 3 players are unwanted. They've been wanted by multiple managers. Same with Smalling.

The only players who've seemingly been unwanted are Bailly and Darmian. Rojo was injured most of last season so he can't be judged on playing time when fit like I did with those two.

 

[roseguy64]

No DoF etc means Woody can't physically do things in parallel. Remember he has to juggle this with marketing deals plus the potential outgoings as well as the general running of the club

Woodward isn't the one negotiating deals

 

[Judas]

I’m guessing they didn’t foresee the market to be as silly as it is right now. It might be in our interests to get transfers done fast and efficient, but selling clubs can smell blood this summer and they aren’t letting players go cheap.

It's no different to any other window of the last few years. We're just in a worse position as a club as we're utter pants.

 

[marukomu]

I wondered why Leicester would sell Maguire to us. They may feel they could finish higher than us after last season.

 

[Godfather]

Dissapointing window from our perspective so far. Nothing unexpected but I still hoped we would show a bit more ambition.

 

[Red_Jamie]

Unfortunately I can’t say I’m surprised at this abysmal window so far. Whatever happens from here on out, we’ve left everything pointlessly late (again). There are droves of midfielders available and we should have had a list of priorities for CM, DM AND a Herrera replacement and been working on them since May. There is no explanation for this kind of business other than complete ineptitude within our board.

 

[Red_toad]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Ole want all our signings done before pre season? 9 days left and we've bought a RB, a kid from the championship, and sold none of the deadwood.

Can't be 9 days, I'm attending the training session in Perth this time next week. No idea when they fly out but it must be any day now.

 

[Crustanoid]

Tbh it’s woeful.

Ole asked for signings done by now.
The club promised to rehaul the football management structure.
No deadwood has been moved on.
We pointlessly lost Herrera but kept Jones and Mata

So Ed decided to go on holiday and now we’re not really in a better place squad-wise or structure-wise.

 

[Allas8]

Unfortunately I can’t say I’m surprised at this abysmal window so far. Whatever happens from here on out, we’ve left everything pointlessly late (again). There are droves of midfielders available and we should have had a list of priorities for CM, DM AND a Herrera replacement and been working on them since May. There is no explanation for this kind of business other than complete ineptitude within our board.

James Garner
Dylan Levitt
Angel Gomes
Ethan Hamilton
Scott McTominay
Andreas Pereira

There you go, or new midfield 6 next season.

 

[Kostov]

Why the useless shit we have pilled up in the squad is still here? All that crap about the clear up was bollocks.

 

[The Irish Connection]

Tbh it’s woeful.

Ole asked for signings done by now.
The club promised to rehaul the football management structure.
No deadwood has been moved on.
We pointlessly lost Herrera but kept Jones and Mata

So Ed decided to go on holiday and now we’re not really in a better place squad-wise or structure-wise.

Yep, shocking considering the season we had. Likely we won’t sign a first team right winger too.

 

[red4ever 79]

Tbh it’s woeful.

Ole asked for signings done by now.
The club promised to rehaul the football management structure.
No deadwood has been moved on.
We pointlessly lost Herrera but kept Jones and Mata

So Ed decided to go on holiday and now we’re not really in a better place squad-wise or structure-wise.

Cant disagree with any of that to be fair. It's been a disaster so far. Did anyone forget how bad we were last season in defence and attack. We needed minimum 5 first team players coming in and so far we have 1, and the only player we have shifted out is one we would have liked to have kept. The club is a shambles from top to bottom. In the past week two CM have moved to Premier league clubs, both of them would have upgraded us massively.

If someone can honestly tell me why Rojo, Darmian and Sanchez are still at the club I would be interested

 

[Ikon]

After the woeful display against Everton ..."Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his under-performing players that he "will be successful" at Manchester United but some of them "won't be part of that".

Well, ALL of those players involved in that debacle ARE still here.

You cannot convince me that some of these players wouldn't be useful for clubs such as Brighton, West Ham, Burnley, Bournemouth, but there seems to be absolutely no desire from United to get these players shifted, and infact, guess what, many have been awarded new contracts.
Even Darmian & Rojo, who rarely get near a first team squad are still here.

Worringly, I read somewhere that Rojo has a contractual clause that he cannot be sold for 2 years after contract renewal...WTF..?!?
If there is any truth to this, who at United is agreeing to this, and do other players have a similar clause..??

 

[FootyGirl88]

After the woeful display against Everton ..."Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned his under-performing players that he "will be successful" at Manchester United but some of them "won't be part of that".

Well, ALL of those players involved in that debacle ARE still here.

You cannot convince me that some of these players wouldn't be useful for clubs such as Brighton, West Ham, Burnley, Bournemouth, but there seems to be absolutely no desire from United to get these players shifted, and infact, guess what, many have been awarded new contracts.
Even Darmian & Rojo, who rarely get near a first team squad are still here.

Worringly, I read somewhere that Rojo has a contractual clause that he cannot be sold for 2 years after contract renewal...WTF..?!?
If there is any truth to this, who at United is agreeing to this, and do other players have a similar clause..??

Unfortunately it was all just talk, shocking that we haven't sold at least 2 players.

 

[Buster15]

Tbh it’s woeful.

Ole asked for signings done by now.
The club promised to rehaul the football management structure.
No deadwood has been moved on.
We pointlessly lost Herrera but kept Jones and Mata

So Ed decided to go on holiday and now we’re not really in a better place squad-wise or structure-wise.

Woeful is verging on an understatement.
It is nothing against the two players we have signed although this should be just the start.
It is far more about what hasn't been done and looks increasingly likely will not be done.
No apparent change to the club structure. Can we really progress by just doing the same thing.
No clearout of players who are evidently not good enough or no longer needed. Darmian, Rojo to add to the ones you mentioned.

I am becoming more convinced that Woodward is in denial about the scale of our deficiencies.
Manchester United is not only about the bottom line.
Manchester United is primarily a football club that now seems to be happy to live off of its former glories.
Ole is not going to be able transform the club on his own.

 

[backofthenet]

If someone can honestly tell me why Rojo, Darmian and Sanchez are still at the club I would be interested

Cos no one has put in an offer for them? Would appear to be the most likely scenario. Can't sell players if there is no buyer

 

[VanGaalyTime]

Thank you for calling me deluded, completely ignoring that everything I said is factually true, you can check it yourself if you care to.

1) Wan-Bissaka is the most expensive fullback in the world (unless im mistaken, I might be, don't shoot me) - That alone is a big thing.
2) Why are you using the only club that signed players of significance as an example here? What about Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea? All of them have been slow to sign. Are they also incompetent, or could there convceivably be a good reason why nothing happens until late?
3. Wan-Bissaka was on international duty, when duty ended, Wan-Bissaka was signed.
4. Daniel James was confirmed in June.
5. It is a long transfer window.

No seriously, why do you think that we haven't signed more players yet? What is your actual reason other than thinking that everyone but you knows how to sign football players? I would genuinely like to know because you seems to be pissed out about the situation.

By the way: Ed Woodward does not close negotiations, Matt Judge does. Matt Judge has a masters degree in economics and 13 years experience as a investment banker. He's lightyears more qualified than you or me to negotiate a big transfer.

Wan-Bissaka was a fine signing. Good addition to the squad. But he isn't going to make the difference between 6th and 1st, which is what we need to do. We need players who are going to help us compete for the league next season. Dan James is the type of signing City and Chelsea make for their corporate squads in Australia and the U.S. If we're looking at him to be ready for next season, we're in insanely deep shit. We still need at least 4 players. And that's IF we don't sell either Pogba or Lukaku. If either of those is sold, we need to bring in 5 players, 3 of which will need to be ready-made world-class footballers, if we are to compete for the league.

Why are we leaving it so late yet again? Where is the scouting? Where is the planning? Why are we having so much trouble getting rid of the likes of Rojo and Darmien? We're going into a season with so many problems yet again. Meanwhile, Spurs look to be investing in their team. City have bought a player for 70m and Arsenal are being linked with quality players. We're still a month away from the window closing, but I think we'll only make one or two more signings for this year. We'll then finish 5th again and need to spend money again next summer to improve the team. Such a terrible time to be a United fan.

 

[Saffron]

I’m not even sure AWB will cancel out the loss of Herrera. And with De Gea declining and everyone being a year older, our squad may actually be worse next season.

I guess we can expect 1 more decent signing, but we’re essentially banking on that signing making a big difference. As of right now we could sign Messi and he wouldn’t get us top 2.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Unfortunately it was all just talk, shocking that we haven't sold at least 2 players.

It was all talk from a Yes Man.

Woodward probably approved that speech as a way of appeasing the p*ssed off fanbase. In reality, both he and Ole both knew it wasn't true - Ole probably went straight back to the locker room with a big smile on his face and started high-fiving Youngy, Jonah, Lingz etc. "Dont worry lads, you'll all still be here next season, the fans just needed to hear something like that."

 

[matt10000]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Ole want all our signings done before pre season? 9 days left and we've bought a RB, a kid from the championship, and sold none of the deadwood.

Well every manager in the world wants all their signings done before pre-season!??!?! Does anyone on here actually live in the real world? This is an ambition but back in the real world you are never going to get everyone you want when you want! There are at least three parties involved in each deal (us, agent, them) and often more parties if there are several clubs interested n the same player, all trying to get the best deal for themselves. Selling clubs know full well that the preference is to get deals over the line before pre-season and will use this to play brinkmanship and try and get a better deal are people saying we should just pay the agents and clubs whatever they want to get the deals all done before pre season?

 

[kopviolator]

Unfortunately it was all just talk, shocking that we haven't sold at least 2 players.

We can't get rid of underperforming players that are being overpaid. This is one of our biggest problem now. And if we'd have signed Herrera on a deal similar as offered by PSG then his strongest supporters would probably be whining about him in two years time. Hopefully the club is looking into this ridiculous wage structure that seems to be out of control.

 

[soaphroniscuss]

We can't get rid of underperforming players that are being overpaid. This is one of our biggest problem now. And if we'd have signed Herrera on a deal similar as offered by PSG then his strongest supporters would probably be whining about him in two years time. Hopefully the club is looking into this ridiculous wage structure that seems to be out of control.

Yes you can. Pay out part of their contracts.