Last summer’s transfer window was seismic for Manchester United, one they could not afford to get wrong.
In Erik Ten Hag, the Reds had appointed a coach with a distinct and definable philosophy, a blueprint that had proven highly successful in Holland, and this felt like a departure for a club that had become somewhat lost in recent years, finding itself enamoured by legacy coaches too entrenched in their ways, then a former player intent on replicating a past that no longer existed.
Ten Hag’s appointment in itself suggested that lessons had been learned and furthermore a new era was now conceivable. That a fresh start beckoned.
It was important therefore that United’s transfer dealings reflected this, targeting players who complimented the manager’s style of play as much as they improved the overall quality of the squad.
The days of arbitrarily purchasing superstars simply because they were available - *cough* Ronaldo – had to come to an end.
In that regard, the signings of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Leandro Martinez across a three week period, were all shrewd, while the subsequent securement of Casemiro for £70m resolved a long-standing problem in midfield at a stroke.
Later, Antony arrived for big money and what stood out when assessing the newcomers as a group was that all had either played under Ten Hag previously, or perfectly fit the profile needed for the type of football he espoused.
If this boded extremely well for the multiple Premier League champions, what was equally as crucial was for a ruthlessness to be shown in clearing players out.
There were players who had seen better days. Others who had too often under-performed. Most critically of all, there were some too who had been repeatedly guilty of putting their own interests ahead of the club.
By the summer’s close, 13 squad members had either been sold or loaned out, players who boasted a substantial 861 appearances for the first-team between them. Later, in November, Ronaldo went too, ending a soap opera that was distracting at best and damaging to team morale at worst.
All told then, this represented a successful window for the Reds, a restructuring of chaos into order and this duly translated to results on the pitch.
Justifying their pre-season football odds, United finished inside the top four while a first trophy in six years – in the form of a League Cup triumph – amounted to a cherry on top.
It would of course be quite wrong to downplay the importance of last summer, in getting it right and shaping United’s squad to Ten Hag’s liking.
And to emphasize this point we only need imagine the opposite occurring and how the optics would look right now after a season of struggle.
The manager would be under severe pressure. The club meanwhile would almost certainly panic, just like they’ve panicked so often in the recent past. We have seen so very often how that typically pans out.
Yet if laying down solid foundations for what is to come has been critical, let us be under no misconceptions as to how vital the next few months will be for a project that has grand aspirations and serious intentions.
Because granted, the place has a fresh lick of paint, but now is the time to properly furnish it.
Phase two must prioritise above all else a centre-forward. In fact, a strong argument can be made that United need two, the other being of a younger age who can develop and have a positive impact, but otherwise be content to reside on the bench for the most part.
Last January, with scant options available, United brought in Wout Weghurst, but bluntly speaking, a club with such elite objectives cannot be fronted by a placeholder and with the entire summer window to source a world-class proven finisher the club dare not fall short.
It is very encouraging therefore that rumours louden every day on their interest in Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and though Harry Kane appears to be destined for Real Madrid, the Reds will remain in the hunt until that is concluded.
Elsewhere, Mason Mount’s move up north reportedly rests on a difference in valuation reaching a compromise and only that.
The versatile England star would be an excellent addition, a player who would excel under Ten Hag.
In midfield, Declan Rice is a number one target and what an upgrade he would be, should Scott McTominay move on, as expected.
Lastly, in defence, with Harry Maguire set to depart, forever branded a flop, links to Jurrien Timber of Ajax become more substantial with every passing week. The outstanding 21-year-old was handed his professional debut by Ten Hag and fulfilled his potential under him.
Should Manchester United sign these named players – or their equivalents, in stature and ability – it will be interesting to see how they are priced in the Premier League betting ahead of August.
Because they would have aced their most important transfer window for a decade and more. From there, the only way would be up.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
