Sir Jim Ratcliffe embraces Ruben Amorim after the Europa League final defeat.
Manchester United need to get a shift on in the transfer market.
The summer transfer window was just 14 hours old when Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha on June 1.
triggered the Brazilian's £62.5million release clause and his move to Old Trafford was subject to him obtaining a visa and registration. The deal was officially completed 11 days later.
During that brief waiting period, United also after learning he wants to move to Old Trafford this summer. Their opening bid, worth £55m, was swiftly rejected.
United returned with another bid last month, , and it appeared as though that would be enough to make the Cameroon international their second summer signing. However, negotiations remain ongoing and supporters are becoming frustrated.
United are treading a fine line between attempting to strengthen the squad and avoid paying over the odds this summer. Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals last summer and Brentford are within their rights to hold out for as high a price as possible.
As much as United want and as much as he wants to move to M16, the Reds must remain mindful that the clock is ticking. The start of their pre-season tour is just a fortnight away and the start of the new Premier League season will be here before you know it.
Having first made contact with Brentford just over five weeks ago, United have got themselves involved in an unwanted saga. They wanted to sign Mbeumo in time for the start of pre-season training and that deadline has been and gone.
With little progress being made on other fronts, United's fast start to the window is becoming a distant memory. side finished 15th in the Premier League last season and the Portuguese chief is desperate to add fresh blood to his squad.
What makes matters worse for United and their supporters is what is happening elsewhere. After Liverpool and Manchester City made storming starts to the window, signing the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz,
Liverpool made a massive statement by swooping for Florian Wirtz. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images.)
They completed the £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United on Thursday evening and are reportedly closing in on the signing of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White after triggering his £60m release clause.
Circumstances at every club differ, not least financially, and it is no secret United are having to sell in order to buy this summer. That situation is making the task of bringing new faces in much harder.
Nevertheless, when supporters glance at the business being conducted by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, City and Spurs, they are naturally going to become restless and frustrated.
United were dreadful last season, offering very little in the way of positives, meaning they have no choice but to make the most of this summer's window. It is the most important summer they have faced in their modern history.
You cannot dismiss the fact United have spent more than £60m on Cunha, a proven Premier League operator who is tailor-made for Amorim's system. They also deserve plaudits for persevering with their quest to sign Mbeumo, who was the fourth-highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season.
Manchester United want to add Bryan Mbeumo (left) to the signing of Matheus Cunha. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images.)
However, as mid-July approaches, supporters can be forgiven for becoming impatient. Other Premier League clubs, many of whom enjoyed a far better season than the Reds did last term, are cracking on with their business at a decent pace.
Spurs' recent movements have been the tipping point for many, forcing some supporters to pick up their phones and express their feelings on social media. The prospect of signing Kudus and Gibbs-White in the same week is one way to make a statement.
It would be fantastic to see Mbeumo start the new season in United colours, and many believe the situation has come too far for that not to happen, but the longer this particular saga goes on, United are at an increased risk of being left behind.