Manchester United have only added one player this summer to their senior team- Benfica central defender Victor Lindelof. There have been a ton of transfer rumors and gossip, and some discussions and negotiations, but no additional deals done. We’ve been hearing for weeks now that the acquisition of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata was drawing closer and closer to completion, in reality the only thing we’ve seen accomplished is an extremely repetitive narrative that further heightens the tedium.
The hope was that this deal would be sealed before July 9, when Man United depart for their United States of America preseason exhibition tour. Likewise for the new holding midfielder signing, rumored to be a handful of candidates, with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic leading the way.
It seems highly unlikely that either of those players are signed, sealed and delivered within the next five days, and almost certain that we will not see both transactions completed. United have missed out on two Brazilian targets- Fabinho and Marquinhos, meanwhile the Cristiano Ronaldo return narrative looks like it’s as much a nothing burger as ever.
Maybe that story was even more ado about nothing than usual, given the overall quietness of this summer transfer window and the added hype the CR7 coverage received. United’s failure to close the deals that they hoped to accomplish by this point is not sitting well with manager Jose Mourinho either. The Guardian reports that he’s becoming increasingly frustrated by the fact that only one player has been inked in time for departing on the summer exhibition tour.
On the youth side however, it’s a totally different story. Man United football club are overhauling their youth system this summer transfer window, being assertive in making moves. They already signed the Northern Ireland Under-17 captain Ethan Galbraith, and news broke today that two more additions are on their way.
According to ESPN FC, Man United are set to add Belgian teenager Largie Ramazani and French midfielder Aliou Badara Traore. ESPN writes that: “Ramazani, 16, has arrived from Charlton Athletic while Traore, also 16, who was being chased by Juventus, will join from Sarcelles after spending time in Paris Saint-Germain’s youth system.”
Thus, Nicky Butt’s roster this upcoming season will look somewhat different from what we saw this past season.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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