What have Man United done in the transfer market?

08/09/23 1683

Manchester United go into every Premier League season with high expectations. Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, those expectations have not manifested into Premier League titles or Champions League trophies.

Fans continue to protest the Glazers’ ownership of the club. Yet, the owners have still provided various managers with transfer funds to add to the squad.

Manchester United’s problem since Ferguson’s departure has been haphazard work in the transfer market, signing players for large sums that have not quite cut it.

This summer saw United sign three players in the transfer market before August 31, the day the transfer window closes. Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund all arrived at the club.

Mount joined the club for £60 million from Chelsea. Despite some bright moments, Mount showed exactly why many Chelsea fans had grown frustrated with his performances.

Hojlund signed from Atalanta for £72m. The striker has not played due to a back injury.

The back injury the striker picked up before signing for United was worse than expected. Hojlund isn’t expected to play until after the September international break.

Onana, who arrived from Inter Milan, has already proven his value. He cost £47.2m, a steal for a player that played in the Champions League final last season.

Manchester United spent a total of £179.2m on the three players. More may come in just before the transfer window closes. Regardless of more players arriving, Manchester United’s squad still looks wholly inadequate.

This summer’s spend comes after an equally large spend in 2022. Just over 12 months ago, Antony arrived from Ajax, Lisandro Martinez also joined from Ajax, and Casemiro signed from Real Madrid. There was also left-back Tyrell Malacia, who has already been thrown on the scrap heap.

Erik ten Hag continues to favour players he coached at Ajax. Yet, there will come a day soon when there are no more ex-Ajax players to sign. The transfer direct at Man United pales in comparison to rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

The Red Devils seem to be signing players in every transfer window, but the new signings make little impact. Yes, Onana has been solid thus far and Casemiro was key to the club’s EFL Cup win last term. But overall, the players brought in have not made the team into a title contender.

United faced Arsenal on Premier League matchday No. 4. The Red Devils have disappointed their fans once again after a heavy loss from the Gunners.

The team’s title hopes could be extinguished before the end of September.