The definition of a successful summer window at Manchester United can differ dramatically depending on who you speak with.
For some, Ineos must deliver a midfield overhaul that consists of at least one ‘marquee signing’ at the heart of Michael Carrick’s engine room.
For others, assured acquisitions chosen after months of analysis, intense scouting, and data-driven checks are the optimum way to move forward.
Either way, bodies will be required if this once-proud football club is to make any sort of mark on Project 150, let alone with their return to the Champions League.
To date, an agreement has been reached for the transfer of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48 million, building upon a deal that will see Ederson arrive from Atalanta for £35m, pending a successful medical.
Both offer strengths and characteristics that could benefit this squad, and complement the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. But both have also attracted criticism, particularly the latter.
As we revealed days before it became common knowledge, Real Madrid never possessed any intentions of selling Aurelien Tchouameni, with the Frenchman set to prolong his Spanish stay.
And with failed pursuits for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes poking an already raging social fire, it appears little, if anything, will sufficiently appease a furious subsection of an expectant fanbase.
With Carrick and a number of his first-team stars returning for pre-season training this morning, we spoke with several supporters to gauge their feelings ahead of a new Premier League campaign.
Jeremy S, 28, Chester.
I’m torn, to be honest. I’m not sure what to think today.
I like the idea of Santos, a young Brazilian who has asked to leave Chelsea for football reasons. I think it’s a lazy argument to say he’s nothing more than a reserve or a reject, because how does it even make sense? He’s a young player who joined that circus with about 60 other young lads. In fairness, how can you expect any of them to blossom when they’re fighting against global stars like [Moises] Caicedo and [Enzo] Fernandez for guaranteed starts? He’s super talented, and as [Andy] Mitten said, he’s likely going to be Brazil’s next number 6, so how can you not be a little bit excited for less than £50 million?
As for Ederson, people need to get a grip with all of this hate and abuse. I’m not sure where we stand today over his medical, but the majority of these internet experts haven’t even seen him play, yet they’ll listen to that clown on YouTube spout endless nonsense about how rubbish he is. What happened to supporting the players!?
That said, Ineos do need to show some proper ambition and support the manager. I would have expected maybe three or four signings at this stage, so it’s mega frustrating not to have any in the door. But, by all accounts, [Jason] Wilcox and his lot remain confident. So, let’s see.
Patrick K, 37, Salford.
Not good enough, is it? We’re sold dreams of Anderson and Fernandes, and we end up with two Brazilians who aren’t good enough to play for the club: same story, different season. Ineos are no better than the Glazers, and they couldn’t give a damn about you, me, or any of the fans. It’s all about money, and this lot have no ambition. I’m sick of it. I’m sorry, but that’s how I feel.
Kwame J, 23, Accra.
How can we expect to challenge for the League and the Champions League when we are unwilling to bolster this team with the superstars it requires? Why are we letting [Sandro] Tonali go to Spurs with Fernandes? Why are we not pushing Arsenal aside to bring in Bruno [Guimaraes]?
We are supposed to be Manchester United, but we don’t act like it any more. These players we sign are fit for much smaller teams. There’s a good reason Santos wasn’t playing for Chelsea, and yet, we are happy to pay £50M for him? I really don’t know how Carrick can be expected to succeed.
Jimmy K, 40, Dublin.
I’ve made a concerted effort to avoid social media these days because the amount of lunatics losing their minds during the transfer window is mind-boggling. You have grown men and women joining kids in complaining about players they have never seen play. But they’ll tell you that they’re not good enough because they had a rubbish card on Fifa, or watched a YouTube video.
Ineos are far from perfect, and their treatment of normal people and long-term season ticket holders has been appalling. They’ve also made a heap of crap decisions with Dan Ashworth, Erik ten Hag, and Ruben Amorim. But this current team has delivered one of the best windows in recent memory, totally reconstructed our attack, and given us the best young keeper in the league in [Senne] Lammens.
Surely, that has earned a little bit of trust in their decision-making?
Laura M, 39, Leeds.
Why can’t people understand the intricacies of what [Omar] Berrada laid out during his chat with Mitten?
United are attempting to reconfigure their public image and are refusing to pay whatever it takes to land a target. It’s not too long ago that people were complaining about the fees being handed out and the salaries being offered for commercial signings.
Berrada outlined everything we need to know during that podcast. I don’t necessarily believe everything he has said, but the questions that are being routinely pressed have already been answered.
I have a question for you and anyone else who may read this: would you be happy if United paid £85 million up front, plus over £250k per week, for a 21-year-old prospect? I certainly wouldn’t be! At some point, you have to trust in the people who are being paid a fortune to make these decisions. It’s easier than pulling your hair out over random posts on Twitter.
Dave N, 45, London.
Honestly, I don’t want to focus primarily on the signings, or lack of them, because I prefer to do that when the work is done and dusted. There is plenty of time for anything to happen.
I do want to speak about expectations, though. Everybody is speaking about all of these marquee arrivals in midfield. That’s good and well, but where do you play them all? Bruno starts every important game throughout the season, and so does Kobbie. That leaves one position following Casemiro’s exit, and the need for some rotation options also.
Mason Mount has been really unlucky with injuries, but he’s a very good player and a capable deputy for Fernandes or even as an 8. Santos and Ederson, if he comes, are super options for different roles, and I even think Santos, from what I’ve seen at Chelsea, can do a great job behind Kobs.
People forget that, for all of his goals, Case wasn’t necessarily the prime Madrid version throughout the season, and he needed people to do a lot of the legwork around him. If you add Santos, Ederson and a third into this equation, I think things are a hell of a lot better than some are reporting.
Simone S, 31, Paris.
Here, in Paris, we have witnessed it all with PSG. We have seen the superstars arrive for millions of euros, argue with each other and the coaches, and cause nothing but issues. I have always loved Manchester United because my grandmother was born in Altrincham, of all places, and that was my club because it was her club.
The team working behind the curtain has decided that Santos and Ederson are suitable for Michael Carrick, and who am I to think otherwise? I will admit that I don’t know much about the players, but I have come to learn that it is best to support the word of the people who do.
I do know a lot about Michael Sansoni, though, and he is a person that I trust very much. I believe he can help to make a lot of people very happy at the club, and it is a beautiful sight to see new arrivals who wish to play for the jersey. Long may this continue.
How do you feel about what we have seen this summer at Old Trafford, and what do you expect to see over the coming weeks?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels–photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images via depositphotos.com.
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