The mood around Manchester United has shifted from hope to trepidation after the fans were treated to a deja vu display of last season against Fulham.
Man Utd started fast and could have been up by two or three goals by half-time, but ended the game as the team likelier to concede a winner rather than score one.
Altay Bayindir’s performance brought focus on the goalkeeping position again, the answer to which can hopefully be provided by Senne Lammens.
But there are other holes in the team as well. More importantly, Man Utd need to do a lot of work to shift some players. Andy Mitten is predicting a busy last week, which, in an ideal world, could result in a Hail Mary attempt for Carlos Baleba in a ‘changed landscape’.
Rasmus Hojlund warming up for Manchester United.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Man Utd’s transfer deadline analysed
United are one of the few clubs that are yet to finalise a permanent sale this window, a far cry from the rebuild that was promised before the window opened.
Only Marcus Rashford’s wage savings are of any substantial help, and the fee for that move will arrive next summer, if all goes well.
The spectre of the exiled four – Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia continues to hang over the club.
Then there’s Rasmus Hojlund in talks with Napoli, and doubt over the future of Bayindir if and when Lammens arrives.
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In an ideal world, United would manage to offload those six players and try an audacious attempt to land a midfielder as well, especially if Kobbie Mainoo goes through with his decision.
Even if they don’t buy anyone, selling at least four of those six is absolutely necessary, which is why Andy Mitten, speaking on United We Stand podcast, said he’s expecting a busy end to the window.
He said: “I expect it to be busy. United need to move players on, get money in. Not just sell-on fees. They need to sort out Sancho, Garnacho, and Antony. My understanding is none of these deals are as advanced as they are being reported.
“That may change in a couple of days, but United can’t really control the situation. They have a set price and are not prepared to buckle.
“If United are getting money in from sales, then the landscape changes [for Baleba]. Brighton haven’t changed their demands.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if loads of activity went down to the last day. Watch this space.”
Andreas Pereira can hand United a financial boost
It says everything you need to know about United’s selling ability that the windfall they’ve received this window has all come from players who have already been sold.
The likes of Maxi Oyedele, Alvaro Fernandez, and Anthony Elanga moving on have netted them close to £20m in sell-on clauses.
Andreas Pereira can add his name to the list as Fulham manager Marco Silva recently said the Brazilian could move on.
He was dropped against Man Utd, and there is interest from Brazil, with United holding a 20% sell-on clause for the player.
The financial boost from Pereira’s sale, combined with wages coming off the books and the likes of Garnacho and Antony leaving, could easily see United make a last-ditch effort to land Carlos Baleba.
Baleba and Man Utd can help each other, and the player’s performances so far haven’t done anything to calm the narrative that his head is in Manchester.
Perhaps Ineos have one last Hail Mary in their back pocket in a window that has exceeded expectations.
Over to you, Ruben Amorim.