Manchester United boss Ed Woodward once said: “We can do things in the transfer market that other clubs can only dream of.” Except the problem is that comments like this tend to come back and bite your buttocks from time to time, especially in this day and age when social media users are keener than ever. And unless the Red Devils start taking action in the transfer market, they risk losing talented players like Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and others.
Of course, Fernandes isn’t going anywhere this summer. It is at the heart of Manchester United’s plans going forward, having flourished since joining Sporting Lisbon in January.
However, the 25-year-old’s transfer to the club may have had a negative impact.
United, in January, looked like a team in crisis. After being played off the pitch by elected champions Liverpool, few have given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a chance to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
But, because of Fernandes, they did.
Yet the 25-year-old may have hidden the cracks, given the club’s “ delusions of grandeur ” – as Han Solo once said in the sci-fi epic Star Wars.
United’s transfer window has been disappointing so far. While their rivals acted with speed and urgency, they remained steadfast.
Take Chelsea for example. They look like a serious team that could be legitimate title contenders for both Liverpool and Manchester City next season.
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Arsenal also appear to be in a good position to sign Philippe Coutinho on loan, with the Gunners working hard and exploring the possibility of a loan deal for the Barcelona player right now.
City, Arsenal and Chelsea show ambitions. Showing that they care about trophies, about success on the pitch.
And then there is United. On your feet, late to the party.
So far they have pursued Jadon Sancho but are unwilling to meet Borussia Dortmund’s asking price at a time when the coronavirus crisis is still ongoing.
Even so, the numbers don’t necessarily add up. United had a net spend of just £ 68m last summer, with Aston Villa also having a bigger one.
So why did Fernandes’ money have to go out of the summer budget? That £ 47m deal appears to stand in the way of the club, perhaps a reason for their reluctance to spend a lot on Sancho.
But United are wasting precious time. They have made no progress on Jack Grealish or a central defender, who are also in sight right now.
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And, standing still, they risk a miserable campaign.
To keep your best players, you need to show ambition. Sancho’s landing would be a significant declaration of intent by the Red Devils, particularly after third place in the league.
So, if the Red Devils suffer this summer, why Fernandes, Martial and co. are you staying around?
They are all United players because they want to win the biggest trophies in the country. Regardless of how much a player earns, he always wants silverware.
And United are in serious danger of blowing him up. Rashford actually considered joining Barcelona last summer, thinking seriously about the idea, before staying.
Time to take action. Because if not, Solskjaer could find themselves without a job and the club without the best players currently in their books.
