Have we signed anyone yet? | Yes, with stupid tax

[Long Time Red]

Can't say I'm worried, just disappointed we haven't managed to get at least one over the line already.

Unless things move quickly it doesn't look like ETH is going to have any new faces for the first day of pre-season.

 

[Fortitude]

The idea anyone is ‘worrying’ is also farcical; as far as I see, reasoned valid points are being made that are rooted in reality, and someone stated that our already rubbish squad is weaker than it was because of all of the departures, which is hard to refute in its own right.

The reality, as it stands, is that we’ve currently gone backwards, whilst our rivals for top 4 (sans Chelsea, understandably) have added to what got them into those positions in the first place. There is no panic in statements of fact.

 

[Escobar]

We are still poor at transfers. You have a shortlist of candidates and if plan A does not work out, you move to the next player. It is crucial to get things right this summer but looks like we mess up again

 

[Cloud7]

We can’t sign anyone while City sign another club FFS

Am I remembering wrong or is Palermo the club that had a really insane owner?

 

[Fortitude]

That's a fair point, but there is still the fact that Ten Hag has been in a bare month. Getting the right deals done properly, at the right prices, is still worth a few days or a week, so long as the players get in in time for preseason surely?

If taking an extra week to get De Jong for the right price, means we have an extra bit of cash that allows us to bring in a right back, surely that will have been worth it?

I’m highly sceptical as it is, there’s no good will or faith to be had in our recruitment process or department until they prove otherwise. Numerous deals should have been wrapped up and good to go before the window opened, at least then it is more palatable to be jousting with Barcelona, but as evidenced, we are not running as we should be, as we need to be. After all, we are the club starting right at the back of the starting grid with the most to do and the biggest need to aid the manager - we *need* our preseason to be exceptional with no bumps in the road and all our players training and bonding together, settled and purely focused on football. There is nothing revelatory in that, it’s common sense.

I said before that if we fail to get these players drilled, but save a few million because we haggled, it may initially look great, but if costs us CL come the end of the season, those few million will be multiples less than what we’ve thrown away in lieu of that, and it’ll look like a terrible decision then, so there are fine lines with that, as far as I’m concerned.

 

[van Nistelrooy]

Any enlightened souls want to tell Neville that

A) The transfer window “only just opened”
B) The manager “just walked through the door”
C) He’s overreacting
D) This squad finished second two seasons ago

Or any combination of the above?

A) Clubs can negotiate with other clubs, players, agents at any time. Transfers just can't officially be registered until the window opens.
B) 18th April - Won title with Ajax, 21st April - Appointed United manager, 16th May - Started work with United
C) Anyone who has followed United's shambolic transfer activity over the years are right to be concerned. We ended up with: Cavani, Diallo and Pellestri on deadline day in 20/21!
D) A fluke season where Liverpool were crippled with injuries and we were playing in empty stadiums.

 

[Gurtej]

The same posters who trying to be cool and show that everyone complaining about lack of transfers have lost their minds will be complaining about the same thing by end June…. Only two more weeks to go!!

 

[croadyman]

A) Clubs can negotiate with other clubs, players, agents at any time. Transfers just can't officially be registered until the window opens.
B) 18th April - Won title with Ajax, 21st April - Appointed United manager, 16th May - Started work with United
C) Anyone who has followed United's shambolic transfer activity over the years are right to be concerned. We ended up with: Cavani, Diallo and Pellestri on deadline day in 20/21!
D) A fluke season where Liverpool were crippled with injuries and we were playing in empty stadiums.

Glad someone highlighted point D because definitely seems to get lost

 

[Offside]

I was very much part of the “just sign anyone ffs!!!!” camp in the Summers of 2014 and 2015 when we were taking our time. Both times we announced a flurry of transfers within days and I was happy to be proven wrong.

However, we as a club have also seen windows where we have been slow and just never got round to it. 2018 for example.

Nev makes the best point about making it as easy for the new manager as possible. The Summers where we have taken our time players haven’t had a proper pre season or so many have been panic buys as we missed out on other targets. This is something we’ve paid for on the pitch and should have learnt from.

The sign of a well run club is getting your business done early. To me we are already seeing that the club has learnt nothing. Even though I’m sure we will sign a few players that stops most of you moaning. Deeper issue is still there.

 

[Relevated]

Woody would have signed someone by now.

 

[Cloud7]

A) Clubs can negotiate with other clubs, players, agents at any time. Transfers just can't officially be registered until the window opens.
B) 18th April - Won title with Ajax, 21st April - Appointed United manager, 16th May - Started work with United
C) Anyone who has followed United's shambolic transfer activity over the years are right to be concerned. We ended up with: Cavani, Diallo and Pellestri on deadline day in 20/21!
D) A fluke season where Liverpool were crippled with injuries and we were playing in empty stadiums.

Glad someone highlighted point D because definitely seems to get lost

I sincerely hope my sarcasm was picked up on. I thought “enlightened souls” would have given it away

 

[Esquire]

The idea anyone is ‘worrying’ is also farcical; as far as I see, reasoned valid points are being made that are rooted in reality, and someone stated that our already rubbish squad is weaker than it was because of all of the departures, which is hard to refute in its own right.

The reality, as it stands, is that we’ve currently gone backwards, whilst our rivals for top 4 (sans Chelsea, understandably) have added to what got them into those positions in the first place. There is no panic in statements of fact.

Completely agree with this. Our rivals have all signed a couple of targets already (City, Liverpool). FDJ is important but the lack of progress on other areas is concerning. Obviously no one truly knows what’s going on but it is clear that we will need to pay premium to land some players we want. Just guessing, but it sure does look like our budget is not as good as advertised and management will want to sell a couple of more players before we buy, notwithstanding the departure of senior players. Not a good state to be in. Hope I’m wrong though.

 

[UnitedFire]

I will only start to worry if it gets to the pre season and we haven't got anyone. That's really when we need the players as we have a new manager and system to bed in. If he gets them late or into the start of the season it's going to be a real pain in the arse.

Surely there can be some targets that are not so "Hollywood" like that we can get, not our top targets but not far off. I'd be happy with that, it's better to get at least some players in rather than none. It's better to get some now rather than one huge target late in the window (that doesn't want to come).

Great idea, we can continue with Make a Wish McFred Free style football and then half way into the season we can work out how to make a proper footballer like De Jong fit into a system that we haven't worked on at all.

 

[Esquire]

Every day seems to get worse for United at the moment.

No progress on any transfers and now we are letting Henderson go, on an horrific deal for the club.

Should have sold him last year, but granted it was still under Woodward’s watch. I am willing to give the new exec a chance but if they dally over FDJ for another month and haven’t signed anyone else then we know nothing has changed.

 

[Esquire]

This is the thing. Nobody is doubting United will sign players. This is a unique window though and because of all our outgoings we need 5 first team signings. It's become more apparent that we are waiting it out because we probably only plan to sign 3.
With all those players you mentioned going off the wage bill you can possibly add to them Henderson, AWB, Martial and whatever other fringe players we can offload (Tuanzebe, Williams, Pereira).
Do we trust United's board to get these players out and get in the needed replacements. If we had a decent start to the window you would be hopeful but even at this relatively early stage it looks a forlorn hope.

NO matter what RR said about needing wholesale buys, there is no way that we will buy 5 players this summer. I absolutely do not believe that the Glazers will spend that much money with no CL.

 

[UnitedFire]

The idea anyone is ‘worrying’ is also farcical; as far as I see, reasoned valid points are being made that are rooted in reality, and someone stated that our already rubbish squad is weaker than it was because of all of the departures, which is hard to refute in its own right.

The reality, as it stands, is that we’ve currently gone backwards, whilst our rivals for top 4 (sans Chelsea, understandably) have added to what got them into those positions in the first place. There is no panic in statements of fact.

Let's spell it out specifically as well. Players that were at one point in their career world class or Elite are leaving...alongside some other whatever.

One of our 'rivals' has signed arguably the best striker in the world. The other has signed arguably one of the best upcoming strikers. Our other rival has signed a midfielder who is miles better than anything we have for chub change.

Other clubs with potential have signed several talented players and could push us for a conference spot!

Yes things can move and change, but the gap has widened and other clubs have their players settling into their new homes and lives, getting setup and ready for a fully charged pre season. We haven't even got a bid in!

We are left having to double down just to stay in the Europa conference.

 

[Esquire]

I’m highly sceptical as it is, there’s no good will or faith to be had in our recruitment process or department until they prove otherwise. Numerous deals should have been wrapped up and good to go before the window opened, at least then it is more palatable to be jousting with Barcelona, but as evidenced, we are not running as we should be, as we need to be. After all, we are the club starting right at the back of the starting grid with the most to do and the biggest need to aid the manager - we *need* our preseason to be exceptional with no bumps in the road and all our players training and bonding together, settled and purely focused on football. There is nothing revelatory in that, it’s common sense.

I said before that if we fail to get these players drilled, but save a few million because we haggled, it may initially look great, but if costs us CL come the end of the season, those few million will be multiples less than what we’ve thrown away in lieu of that, and it’ll look like a terrible decision then, so there are fine lines with that, as far as I’m concerned.

The few millions matter to the Glazers. That’s what it looks like from the outside anyway.

 

[Frank Grimes]

NO matter what RR said about needing wholesale buys, there is no way that we will buy 5 players this summer. I absolutely do not believe that the Glazers will spend that much money with no CL.

That's what is required. Also Glazers most frugal summer's are actually when we make CL, it's usually not making it that gets them spending, especially in new manager's first window.

LVG 14/15 and Jose 16/17 were our 2 biggest windows post Ferguson. No CL both those seasons.

 

[We need an rvn]

I was very much part of the “just sign anyone ffs!!!!” camp in the Summers of 2014 and 2015 when we were taking our time. Both times we announced a flurry of transfers within days and I was happy to be proven wrong.

However, we as a club have also seen windows where we have been slow and just never got round to it. 2018 for example.

Nev makes the best point about making it as easy for the new manager as possible. The Summers where we have taken our time players haven’t had a proper pre season or so many have been panic buys as we missed out on other targets. This is something we’ve paid for on the pitch and should have learnt from.

The sign of a well run club is getting your business done early. To me we are already seeing that the club has learnt nothing. Even though I’m sure we will sign a few players that stops most of you moaning. Deeper issue is still there.

Whilst I completely agree with the first part about getting your business done early, there have been some big changes at the club with regards to senior appointments (manager, football director, CEO - with the latter not wasting time in getting rid of some dead wood) - all this will have a huge impact on this summer's transfer window and it will take time for us to see how the changes made will work. I think you're wrong with the second part in that Arnold is seen to be making the changes we have been looking for, hence we have learnt from the mistakes made during the Woodward era.

Or so I'm praying every night...

 

[Thisistheone]

The idea anyone is ‘worrying’ is also farcical; as far as I see, reasoned valid points are being made that are rooted in reality, and someone stated that our already rubbish squad is weaker than it was because of all of the departures, which is hard to refute in its own right.

The reality, as it stands, is that we’ve currently gone backwards, whilst our rivals for top 4 (sans Chelsea, understandably) have added to what got them into those positions in the first place. There is no panic in statements of fact.

Spot on.

 

[Red00012]

We are not as appealing as we used to be to join anymore.

 

[Offside]

Whilst I completely agree with the first part about getting your business done early, there have been some big changes at the club with regards to senior appointments (manager, football director, CEO - with the latter not wasting time in getting rid of some dead wood) - all this will have a huge impact on this summer's transfer window and it will take time for us to see how the changes made will work. I think you're wrong with the second part in that Arnold is seen to be making the changes we have been looking for, hence we have learnt from the mistakes made during the Woodward era.

Or so I'm praying every night...

You could be right. Whichever way you look at it, it’s June 16th so any meltdown reactions are uncalled for.

 

[Vapor trail]

The idea anyone is ‘worrying’ is also farcical; as far as I see, reasoned valid points are being made that are rooted in reality, and someone stated that our already rubbish squad is weaker than it was because of all of the departures, which is hard to refute in its own right.

The reality, as it stands, is that we’ve currently gone backwards, whilst our rivals for top 4 (sans Chelsea, understandably) have added to what got them into those positions in the first place. There is no panic in statements of fact.

This is a crucial point I don't think in any other scenario things would seem as bad but there is an urgency for Murtough / Arnold to sort things out the club have a new manager who has a philosophical approach therefore pre season is an important venture for the players to be embedded with the coaching and requirements of their use.

Add on top three departures that were in and around the first 11. Ragnick has left which concluded his appointment as being a disaster and the club is slow out of the blocks in the form of negotiations and multiple sources have reinforced the idea that it's a one player per signing policy because of complexities with the budget. There are too many variables effecting the momentum against United at the moment for there to be an ineptness in this summer window.

The club are also requiring key replacements for senior staff who have left including much of the scouting network. It's a poor start to say the least.

 

[Esquire]

That's what is required. Also Glazers most frugal summer's are actually when we make CL, it's usually not making it that gets them spending, especially in new manager's first window.

LVG 14/15 and Jose 16/17 were our 2 biggest windows post Ferguson. No CL both those seasons.

Mate like I said elsewhere, I would be very happy to be proven wrong. Just hoping it’s a slow start but we can’t afford another mad rush at the end of the window. ETH needs a full complement this summer to bed-in as we all agree.

 

[Kag]

Correct. Another day nearly down.

 

[Volksie316]

Even fecking Arsenal are now doing business before us, and good business at that.

Vieira and Jesus will improve their squad immensely.

These are teams what finished ABOVE us last season mind, whilst the new manager and the club, brief about "potential" in the existing shack of shit, what have already thrown 3 managers under the bus.

 

[Lash]

Still a week and a bit away from when they're due back for training, so I'm not overly fussed. I would like to have signed someone by now and we can just focus on the squad at hand, but it's not that easy.

 

[JustinC00]

D) A fluke season where Liverpool were crippled with injuries and we were playing in empty stadiums.

This is a key one for me. ETH made mention of the club coming in 2nd the year before in his introductory presser. Makes me think that was Glazers/board narrative to him. From then I've had a feeling we are probably getting a Moyes-esque first window. The fact that apparently any transfer plans have been put to the side because de Jong might be available just doesn't sit right. Now maybe it's a case of ETH going to the board and saying if he's a available he would be top of his list by a lot but at that point if the board is gonna go for him, they gotta get him for ETH. Can't dither lose out on him and then turn around and say "we tried, now make due with this guy you probably don't rate but our scouts do" (see: Fred/Mourinho, DVB/OGS)

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Just seeing that City are now in for cuccerella. Another fantastic signing for them.

Absolute joke of a club we are.

Him, Ramsey etc all highly rated fullbacks getting picked up the better sides. Hope we get Malacia but things have gone quiet on that front

 

[Blood Mage]

Good on Neville to be fair, we need the likes of him to pile the pressure on the club. The Glazers would be quite happy to feck the window off if they could get away with it so the more pressure from fans and pundits the better.

 

[Kush]

There's nothing more annoying than reading these pretentious top reds lecturing others on how to act or conduct themselves, feck right off with this non-sense.

I remain calm, and hold hope that once this de Jong saga is sorted one way or the other, we'll wrap up the business quick. But, if there was one summer where we needed to be efficient and get the signings wrapped up early, it was this one. I don't blame any fan who's worried about our slow activity in the transfer market.

Liverpool seem to have agreed a fee Calvin Ramsay who is highly rated. Given how shit we are at RB you'd think we would be interested.

In fact we haven't been linked with many RBs have we ?

ETH has been sold "this squad finished 2nd previous season" dream. We need a lot of new players in many different areas, he'll realize it over the course of season. Right now, we seem to aiming to bring 3 players in and it makes sense given our budget.

It's mental that only goalscorer we have in the team is a 37yo, and we're again placing our eggs in "Martial and Rashford will come good" basket.

 

[USREDEVIL]

This is how it is for United these days. I suspect that this long negotiation process may be inherent when you're trying to avoid overpaying. I see some fans criticizing united for overpaying whilst others saying "just pay the fecking money and get him in for preseason" - so either way there's criticism. Normally, however, we end up getting most of our targets. And nowadays, that's probably all we can expect. It's a new era and we're having to adapt as a club. So for me, i'll just wait until the transfer window closes before assessing things. But i'm still a muppet

 

[LARulz]

What are we exactly waiting for? People to remember we are desperate and pay £15 million over the top in the final week?

 

[CM]

Neville's not wrong. You need to have the bulk of your squad ready for the start of pre-season and it wouldn't be a surprise if we don't have anyone in by that point. We have a lot to do so we need to get it done early to give the new guy a fair crack.

Liverpool have already wrapped up all their business for the summer. It's not just on the pitch where we're playing catch up.

 

[Art]

Worrying that in a summer where we've lost Pogba, Matic, Lingard, Mata, Cavani and well Greenwood we're in a blinking contest with Barcelona for one player. Even Levy's forking over the cash because he's doing what his manager wants.

 

[Dolf]

The worrying thing is that we barely get linked with any player that isn't De Jong.
How hard is it to get a shortlist of players and pick a few to go for. We seemingly have no concrete targets right now except maybe De Jong.

 

[mitchmouse]

Am getting ready to promote the situation from "utter shambles" to "sh!t show"

 

[Infra-red]

What are we exactly waiting for? People to remember we are desperate and pay £15 million over the top in the final week?

The worrying thing is that we barely get linked with any player that isn't De Jong.
How hard is it to get a shortlist of players and pick a few to go for. We seemingly have no concrete targets right now except maybe De Jong.

I expect we've been focussed on trying to get the big financial deal (De Jong) done, so that we then have an idea how much budget we have for the other positions.

It's starting to look like FDJ will indeed prove too expensive - my guess is that deals for players in other positions will be progressed quite quickly, once we finally decide to walk away from Barcelona. That moment of decision can't be too far away now, as we need players in place for the tour.

I don't expect the club will make the mistake they have sometimes done in previous summers of hanging on hoping that the big deal goes through, only to be left with nothing and a last-minute desperate scramble on deadline day. If De Jong isn't completed in the next week or so, I think it's over and we'll look to get in three or four others pretty speedily.

 

[mitchmouse]

Are we even looking for a centre forward... a proper No.9? We need someone who can score 20 PL goals a season

 

[Infra-red]

Are we even looking for a centre forward... a proper No.9? We need someone who can score 20 PL goals a season

I doubt it. Probably after a versatile forward who can play through the middle and out wide. We probably don't have budget for more than one attacking player.