© Reuters
There is a clear sense of unease and impatience amongst Manchester United fans after a mixed start to the 2019-20 Premier League season. Despite making three key signings ahead of the English transfer deadline this summer, supporters were hoping for much more.
United finished sixth in the league last season, 32 points behind title winners Manchester City. They also failed to qualify for the Champions League or win any other trophies. Supporters were hoping that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be backed with a serious statement of intent by the club as he sought to rebuild.
The club had been expected to appoint a director of football to oversee transfer policy. However, despite numerous candidates being linked with the job, including former player Rio Ferdinand, no such appointment was made. Meanwhile, CEO Ed Woodward remained a target of criticism for disgruntled fans.
The Red Devils did set a new transfer record for a defender, reportedly paying Leicester City around £80m for Harry Maguire, although the protracted nature of the move baffled many observers. The club haggled for over a month, only to end up paying the fee they were originally quoted.
The man is a colossus. Plain and simple. @HarryMaguire93 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/1DatbHRset
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 13, 2019
The arrival of Daniel James from Swansea City was praised as good business, signed and sealed early in the transfer window for what looks a bargain at £15m. Likewise, the £45m capture of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace, particularly as United desperately needed a more dynamic full-back option.
Nevertheless, fans were expecting so much more this summer, including a move for Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes, yet a deal never materialised ahead of the transfer window closing. After making a brilliant start to the season with Sporting, it seems Real Madrid may now pounce before the European transfer window closes, reports in Spain have suggested.
A key part of the reason why Manchester City and Liverpool are so far ahead, aside from being genuine title contenders, is because they often plan signings months in advance. There's a structure, a working sports directive at each of these two clubs, as well as a vast scouting network, which all contribute to the decision-making as they follow a clear long-term strategy. Other sides use agencies to do the scouting work for them, which is similar to other industries such as sites that search through the various bookmakers to find the best welcome bonuses.
While it might be too late now for United to appoint a director of football who can have a realistic impact on this season, the club desperately needs a change of structure. If such changes are not made before the January transfer window rolls by, the Red Devils could yet miss out on other important signings that need to be made if they are to climb back towards being serious contenders in the Premier League. Whether that's this season, or in the next two or three years.
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