IT wasn’t supposed to be like this for Manchester United.
After the chaos of last season, things were meant to be better from the off.
GettyRuben Amorim’s summer wishlist is nowhere close to being met[/caption]
A transfer strategy aimed at getting rid of those Ruben Amorim did not want, and a squad replenished with signings hand-picked to meet the Portuguese manager’s requirements.
Yet as United prepare to start their pre-season campaign against Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday, it is hard for anyone to suggest this has been the smooth and decisive summer that Amorim had anticipated.
Instead, just four weeks out from United’s Prem opener against Arsenal, the Old Trafford outfit appear no better equipped than they were at the end of May.
And, arguably, still facing all of the problems that confronted them then – with time running out.
When Amorim and his players flew out to the Far East just hours after beating Aston Villa on the final day of last season – a win still overshadowed by the ramifications of their Europa League Final defeat by Spurs four days earlier – it came following a public apology from the manager.
Amorim told the United faithful: “I know you are really disappointed with me – and really disappointed with the team.
“Now we have to make a choice or stay stuck in the past. We fight each other or stick together and move forward.
“When I took over, I said to you the storm was coming. After this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming. If there is one club in the world that can overcome any situation, it’s our club.”
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That implied swift decisions. Quick action.
None of which have taken place. Apart from the significant behind the scenes lay-offs and cost-cutting moves that were deeply unpopular.
United did make one early strike, landing Wolves’ Brazilian ace Matheus Cunha in a £62.5m deal.
In addition, after more than a few moments of doubt, they held onto skipper Bruno Fernandes, who turned down the chance of a mega-bucks Saudi pay day.
But they were rejected by both Liam Delap – whose decision to join Chelsea instead has already brought a Club World Cup winners medal – and Arsenal-bound Viktor Gyokeres.
And while United made their pitch for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo more than a month ago, they have failed to get it over the line, with two bids, both short of the Bees’ £70m valuation, rejected so far and seemingly little chance that the Cameroonian will be aboard when Amorim and his squad fly to Chicago on Tuesday.
That would be bad enough.
United have had two bids for Bryan Mbeumo rejected – with Brentford not allowing both him and Newcastle target Yoane Wissa to leave the clubGetty
GettyUnited have lost position in negotiating circles for Marcus Rashford after isolating him from the squad[/caption]
GettyFans are devastated that Alejandro Garnacho joined the ‘bomb squad’[/caption]
But Amorim’s decision, backed by the United hierarchy, to segregate and isolate the five-player “Bomb Squad” of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia, has added to the problems.
While Fernandes staying as a boost for the squad, it was a problem for the balance sheet – United would have been able to bank the entire proposed £100m fee for their PSR calculations.
United will be able to do the same with deals for Rashford and Garnacho but face accounting losses unless they can get significant fees for the others.
And, knowing that – and the wages Rashford and Sancho in particular are on – means United are being low-balled when enquiries are made.
It means more uncertainty hanging over the squad at the time when Amorim would have preferred certainty and calm.
A situation not eased by the hamstring injury that threatens to rule Andre Onana out of the start of the Prem campaign – even if plenty of United fans would have wanted a new No 1 brought in.
It was evident last season that Amorim did not have a squad that was designed to fit his 3-4-3 formation, too many square pegs battered into round holes, the club’s worst season since they were relegated more than 50 years ago the natural consequence.
Yet with the clock ticking, Amorim seems no better off than he did when he made those public apologies. No wonder the United fans are concerned.
