What Represents A Successful Transfer Window For Manchester United?

As football clubs around Europe enter the final month of the transfer window, many will be gearing up for a major push to secure targets ahead of the new season.

On the contrary to how business is usually conducted, Manchester United have worked themselves into a very healthy position. Three players have been brought in – Mason Mount, Andre Onana and soon to join them, Rasmus Hojlund – which has covered the primary positions they set out to acquire.

It was crucial for Erik Ten Hag to bring in a new goalkeeper to replace the outgoing David de Gea, as well as a midfielder that suited his system and a major upgrade on whom they already had: Fred.

Onana, signed from Inter Milan for £45 million, represents a shift in outlook at Manchester United and will transform the way they play. In just the one friendly so far, against Real Madrid, fans were quick to spot just how far out of his area he commands, and the quickness of his play. The Red Devils now have a goalkeeper who is decisive in his play and able to kickstart the team’s transitions.

It will take time for the Cameroon international to fully adapt to life in Manchester and the Premier
PINC
League, but the very early signs are promising with how he has been interacting with his defenders.

Mount, whose signing came out of the blue up until the end of the season, has been a long-term target of Ten Hag’s. Ever since missing out on the English midfielder at AFC Ajax, the Dutch manager was insistent on securing him at some point throughout his career.

With the ability to play as an advanced eight, 10 or out on the wing, Mount brings versatility to his game and a non-stop working attitude that is much needed in Manchester United’s midfield. Ten Hag clearly wants to play in a more possession-orientated manner but with quick transitions and counter-attacks, which suits Mount for what he can deliver on wholeheartedly.

Some question the £55 million transfer fee with one-year left on his Chelsea deal, but Mount’s age profile – being 24 – is of great value to the Red Devils, who will enjoy his prime years spent at Old Trafford.

A transfer that has been concluded over the weekend is arguably one of the most important this summer: the elusive centre forward. It has taken Manchester United six years to sign a striker under the age of 30, but now they have one in Rasmus Hojlund.

There is no denying the 20 year old, who has just come off his debut season in Serie A with Atalanta Bergamo, is still raw and unrefined in certain areas; but the potential and promise is what Manchester United are relying on, and hoping their coaches can bring out on a regular basis.

A young, hungry centre forward is what the Red Devils have needed for years and so fans rejoice at the news of having signed one. Again, a healthy outlay of £65 million has been spent on the Denmark international, but Hojlund should – like Mount – be spending his prime years at Old Trafford.

As transfer windows go, the Red Devils’ business in the market has been a success so far in who they have brought in. There will now be a focus on outgoings – namely Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek – with the hope that they can top up their player-generated revenue.

If Manchester United can deliver on outgoings, they are expected to launch a bid for Sofyan Amrabat, the Morrocco international that is contracted to ACF Fiorentina. The Italian side need to sell and after a stellar season, the midfielder is hot property on the market.

The Red Devils would go into the Premier League season with four excellent arrivals, all of which can be and should be starting on a regular basis, as well as moving others on who are not in Ten Hag’s plans.

Manchester United fans would be extremely happy with the business conducted if they can pull it off before the September deadline.