Think you are spot on. If I remember right, both Ole and the club quite early said the club wanted to change their transfer strategy. Among mother things be more patient and wait for their prioritised target, and like you said avoid being desperate, impulsive and risk mistakes. Wouldn’t say United has followed that strategy wholeheartedly
No we still can't manage to get it quite right.
On the one hand we have targets that have clearly been marked for some time. The likes of Bruno, Varane & Sancho are clear examples of the club having a plan and executing it. Even Cavani, which on the surface looked like a panic buy due to deadline day, was someone we were looking at all summer and we got the deal done on our terms.
Then on the other we have transfers that look reactionary, such as Donny and Ronaldo. I understand that the club sometimes have to act when a great deal presents itself (which without hindsight Donny was), or when something blows up out of the blue as with Ronaldo.
I think our squad issues are slightly overblown at times. We are IMO two strong midfield signings away from having a completely different look about us. I'm looking forward to the likes of Pogba, Lingard, Mata & Co leaving for free this summer. Time for a fresh start, and I think those midfield signings (if we get it right) will see a leap forwards in quality similar to what we experienced when Bruno came in.