In the words of Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue: “it’s never too late, we’ve still got time, it’s never too late, you can still be mine.” The words apply to Manchester United and their failed pursuits of Borussia Dortmund attacking duo Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho.

This international break, and the extended down time it brings, is the perfect time to discuss how and why United whiffed on signing Haaland and Sancho, and how that can be corrected, with enough money, in the near future.

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Sergio Romero, although not a Golden Glove award winner or anything like that, is elite as far as third choice goalkeepers go. A better organized transfer committee and more ambitious club than Manchester United would have found a good home for him this summer window, and gotten paid handsomely for doing so.

Everton was reportedly keen, but United demanded a loan fee at the last minute. Because that’s how United did their transfer business in the summer of 2020, leaving almost all of it until the due date. Now with Romero left out of the UEFA Champions League squad, his time at Old Trafford is close to up.

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Edinson Cavani was available, on a free transfer, to anybody who wanted to pay his handsome wages since June. Despite this fact, Manchester United waited until the 11th hour of the summer transfer window to go and get the Uruguay international.

They are paying for their idleness and twiddling their thumbs now because the centre-forward won’t be available right away due to COVID-19 precautions and travel protocols. El Matador will have to isolate for two weeks upon arrival with the club.

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Up until the final day of the summer transfer window, Manchester United had only one player officially signed, sealed and delivered. That led to a flurry of activity on deadline day, with the announcements and unveilings of left back Alex Telles, striker Edinson Cavani and young right winger Amad Traore (for arrival in January).

With the club not finishing their homework until the final bell, there was a flurry of activity in the closing hours, and with that, one more acquisition flew far below the radar- Facundo Pellistri.

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The international break comes at the right time for Manchester United supporters. The start to the Premier League season has been absolutely atrocious, and the summer transfer window, which just closed yesterday, was a total disaster. (Read our analysis, and see our grade here)

United was anything but a big club this summer as they finished 10th in total spending in the Premier League (54.4m GBP) on transfer fees. Their overall net spend was also 10th, accumulating a total of 36.4m. That is beyond unacceptable at United!

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It’s really a shame, for the new players who did arrive that Manchester United’s 2020 summer transfer window will be defined by the move that didn’t happen- Jadon Sancho. All winter and spring we heard the rumors non-stop. On August 2 there were widespread reports, from credible sources, an agreement was reached.

On August 10, the deal was ruled out by Borussia Dortmund and then pretty much everything else written and said about it since was a colossal waste of time. While needlessly protracted, egregiously tedious transfer narratives have become a norm during the Ed Woodward era, this was next level bad.

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In the words of C&C Music Factory: “here we go, here we go, here we go, here we go, here we go.” It’s 2020 summer transfer window deadline day, and once again Manchester United have left a bulk of their homework to the 11th hour on the due date.

Amad Traore is set to join Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles as deadline day deals, but there is a plot twist. The 18-year-old Atalanta winger will join the club not immediately, but in January.

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It appeears that Manchester United could finalize not one, but two new acquisitions in the final hours of the summer transfer window. According to multiple reports, Old Trafford  is wrapping up the acquisitions of Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani and FC Porto left back Alex Telles.

The latter of which might just see himself inserted into the starting lineup once he arrives.

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Simply put, it doesn’t get any worse than this for Manchester United. Sunday marked the first time that they have ever conceded four goals at home in the first half. It’s the first time they have ever conceded four in the first 45 minutes, in any game, since 1957.

Also, this is going to get much worse before it gets better; at least today. Tottenham have been playing with a man advantage since Anthony Martial got sent off in the 29′. However, the United dumpster fire inside a train wreck was already in progress before the Frenchman saw red.

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Deadline day in Monday, and we’re now in the final hours for Manchester United to finally get a second player acquisition deal over the line. According to multiple reports, United are closing in on long time target and Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani.

ESPN reports that: “talks accelerated quickly on Saturday with final discussions scheduled for Sunday morning.” The 33-year-old Uruguayan is reportedly set to sign a one year deal, with a club option for a second, additional year.

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More than a week ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to Manchester United, the two managers got into a miniature war of words.

We wouldn’t have it any other way, as the mind games, especially if Jose Mourinho is involved, are just as much a part of the spectacle of this game, as the action on the pitch. Mourinho has faced United twice in the league since receiving the sack from them, losing 2-1 at Old Trafford and drawing 1-1 on home soil.

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