Manchester United‘s summer transfer window will most definitely be remembered for the deals that didn’t happen.
That’s a shame because there actually was some fine business conducted. Yes, there’s a few holes left in the side, but the Red Devils made some nice upgrades too. Unfortunately, people will remember the David de Gea fiasco first and foremost. It’s bizarre, confusing ending was fitting given what a soap opera it was the entire length of the summer.
The were plenty more failures than just the inability to close the De Gea deal.
United let themselves blatantly get used as leverage by Sergio Ramos as he acquired a new contract with his current club.
It’s difficult to understand what Ed Woodward and Louis van Gaal were thinking regarding the Pedro deal too.
Also, they didn’t land Nicolas Otamendi, or any other central defender, so that’s a cause for concern.
A bigger concern is the attack, where Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria and Chicharito all left, and the only replacement is an unproven 19-year-old. In a vacuum, the Anthony Martial signing might seem solid, but given the context in which it happened, it screams “panic buy.”
That’s the bad.
However, there’s a lot of good too.
Matteo Darmian was a nice find. Central midfield is an area that was in need of upgrade for awhile. You got to love the Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin pick-ups. Memphis has potential in the future.
Overall, the team still whiffed on acquiring a “Galactico,” and the club seems kind of uneven and dysfunctional right now. Manchester United acquired a lot of good pieces, but it’s overall a bit messy right now.
Manchester United transfer window grades:
ESPN FC D
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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