I'd be astounded if we didn't sign a midfielder. Clear negotiating strategy. Again, how people don't see through press releases is beyond me. If we brief the press with positive things people say it's BS, and of we brief them things like this then it's incompetence.
Since 2013, we have spent more than everyone bar one. The money has been largely wasted, as the recruitment strategy has been awful (signing players of a similar ilk to Dybala, funnily enough).
This summer we've spent more than anyone, but of course we're starting from a worse position due to past errors.
I think we'll get another in, and possibly two depending on what's happening with Lukaku. Even if not, splashing £130m on the defence should be more than enough to close the small gap to 4th (Arsenal and Chelsea are both weaker- the things written about Arsenal in here are all ridiculous, and all based on the Pepe signing which could flop massively. Their defence and midfield are both weaker. Chelsea lost their best player and have a transfer ban).
Then next summer we'll have to spend our resources on the midfield/ attacking area, and hopefully be in a position to challenge the top 2 a little better. The following summer we'll have to add whatever is missing in order to be genuine contenders.
This is how long it takes to fix 6 years of awful recruitment. We'll finish this window having spent around a third of our annual income on transfer fees alone, ignoring new contracts and signing on/ agent fees. Then we have astronomical wages to pay for the rest of the year.
People in here seem completely unaware or oblivious to real life football (this isn't aimed at you directly, btw). It's a tough market, with people asking daft sums of money for average players. So far it's been a good window, and there is no excuse to get in the top 4.
If we get in a top midfielder, it's a great window.
People also moan that we don't give youth a chance. Blocking all routes for the youth with new signings clearly isn't the way to go. This year I expect 4th place, but whilst demonstrating a clear identity and style worthy of United. The following year 3rd/ 4th again, but showing signs of being close to the top 2. The following year, we need to be fighting for the title, whilst accepting we might not win it.
What I have described is very similar to what Klopp did. He started from even further back than us, and spent less money in his first couple of seasons than we have this summer alone.
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