Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked exasperated after the latest round of enquiries about Manchester United’s transfer activity on Tuesday night.
Following United’s 3-0 win at Luton Town the question posed was, “You still hoping to bring some more players in before the window closes?”
Before the question had even ended Solskjaer had already closed his eyes and looked to his side while letting out a chuckle. “They keep going,” he joked to someone off camera, before responding, “We’re working with the ones we have now. Then let’s see what happens, we’ll give you updates when something happens and if something happens.”
The fact that nothing is happening will alarm United fans, who are equally as exasperated but hardly see the funny side of the club’s sluggish summer of recruitment.
With the deadline on 5 October – which is followed by a mini-window for domestic deals until 16 October – there is precious little time for United to strengthen.
Above them, Liverpool have bought Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota, with Manchester City signing Ferran Torres, Nathan Ake and perhaps another centre-back to come.
Below United – based on last year’s table, at least – Chelsea have made Edouard Mendy their latest recruit, following Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr and Kai Havertz through the door at Stamford Bridge. Spurs have loaned Gareth Bale and signed Sergio Reguilon, Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg permanently. Everton, using the allure of Carlo Ancelotti, have brought in Allan, James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
United have signed just Donny van de Beek.
"We're working with the ones we have now, so let's see what happens."
Will #MUFC boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær bring any more players in? pic.twitter.com/ODQ96X2LyO
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 22, 2020
Nothing new there, and in fact for United fans it is becoming somewhat old and tiresome. After losing their Premier League opener, and with clubs above and around them making valuable additions, their side now have under two weeks to offload some deadwood and bring in some much-needed fresh faces.
Three names Man Utd could bring in
Alex Telles appears to be the most concrete option for United. The Porto left-back is reportedly keen on a move to Old Trafford, where he would at the least provide competition for Luke Shaw, but more likely replace the defender in a position the club need to strengthen in.
Jadon Sancho or an alternative is also in the offing, and with United missing Dortmund’s deadline for the England international it appears their desire for a forward will have them searching elsewhere – as i reported earlier this month.
Moussa Dembele and Douglas Costa have been mooted as possible options, but unless United are keeping their cards close to their chests then there is no sign that these players are being pursued.
One name that has surfaced recently, however, is Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. The 22-year-old had been linked with Liverpool, but with the Premier League champions signing Jota a move for the Senegal international is all-but off.
That could mean United come swooping in, with the Independent reporting Sarr would cost at least £30m, while an initial loan move has also been mentioned.
Beyond Telles and possibly Sarr, it gets rather thin on the ground. Another centre-back option has seen Swansea 22-year-old Joe Rodon linked with United.
Rodon would be a far more viable option than Dayot Upamecano, who recently signed a new deal at RB Leipzig, but given United have a surplus of defenders then Solskjaer and Ed Woodward need to focus on outgoings first.
Can Man Utd sell their unwanted players?
Despite getting Alexis Sanchez off the books there are still a number of first-team players with uncertain futures at United.
Jesse Lingard played all 90 minutes of Tuesday’s win over Luton, but after just nine Premier League starts last season the midfielder is unlikely to break into Solskjaer’s regular XI.
However, after talk of a Tottenham move quietened there do not appear to be any takers for the 27-year-old, who may yet be kept on to provide the squad depth given the Champions League is around the corner.
Defenders Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have also slipped down the pecking order, with the latter heading to Estudiantes on loan earlier this year before returning to United.
Like Lingard, talk is quiet of clubs showing an interest in Jones and Rojo, while midfielder Andreas Pereira and goalkeeper Sergio Romero would surely be moved on if suitors are found.
Chris Smalling would seem to be the most likely departure, having impressed at Roma last season, but a reported £18m price-tag has put the Serie A side off for now.
Roma may yet return with an offer United this time do not refuse – a loan deal with the option to buy could convince Woodward and co.
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