Leny Yoro – 8/10 – Probably the most promising young defender at the time and snatched him away from Real Madrid. Extremely unfortunate to get injured so early and for so long. I hope this doesn’t become a problem. I would have given this a 9/10 if he was fit. But a great signing, nonetheless. The kind I’ve been hoping this club starts making.
Manuel Ugarte – 8/10 – An actual, young DM at Manchester United. Wonders never cease. Could be the difference between finishing 8th and making Top 5. Incredible to have him and good work from INEOS.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10 – One of the best CBs in the world, and still young. Could be future captain as well. Sketchy injury history, but not too bad. Great signing in a position United desperately needed. Just hope he stays fit.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10 – Quality fullback but very injury-prone, and that’s a position with one too many of those already. The small fee offsets that to a large degree. Decent.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5/10 – Strange transfer, as far as I’m concerned. I still struggle to see how he fits in this team in a way that doesn’t interfere with Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, or Rasmus Hojlund. Or how he fits in… whatever this manager is trying to do, really. Furthermore, he is the type of forward that relies heavily on wing play and the quality there is quite lacking. And he himself doesn’t really look like a world beater either. I would have much rather signed a proper midfielder for that kind of money, or a better forward. A transfer that doesn’t excite me. But he does offer something different and raises the floor a bit, and he already scored once. Could come good with better players around him, or with a manager focused on possession.
Bonus points for signing young prospects like Chido Obi-Martin and Sekou Kone.
Getting rid of Sancho is massive, very impressive. Also managed to sell well, particularly Greenwood, McTominay, Wan-Bissaka, Mejbri, and got rid of a bunch of superfluous players, like Donny, Kambwala, Pellistri. Released Varane and Martial.
On paper it’s probably the best transfer window in a very long time. Incomings improved the team, wage bill was reduced, and made some money on the side. But there are some issues. How do transfer like Ugarte and Zirkzee fit in the long-term vision of the club, assuming there is one now, and what happens to them after this manager is sacked? Not selling Rashford is a mistake.
8/10, all things considered. Positive stuff but a lot more work to be done. Would have rated it higher if a proper forward was signed instead of Zirkzee, or a midfielder. And a new manager brought as well.
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