Manchester United completed a planned midfield revamp this summer with the signings of Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans, but the failure to add a left-back has left them exposed in defence.
Last season's recruitment, which brought in three forwards and a goalkeeper, was so well received that club bosses decided to replicate the template. This summer, three midfielders and a goalkeeper arrived, and the expectation is that 2027 will be the year the defence is overhauled at Old Trafford.
Third-place finish raises ambitions
Last year, United had finished 15th in the Premier League and needed to stabilise. In the end, the season went beyond expectations, with the club finishing third and club bosses now talking of a tilt at the Premier League and Champions League.
Chief executive Omar Berrada had stressed the need to be "really disciplined" in the transfer market, predicting that "the template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways."
Midfield priority and Rashford's return
After Casemiro's departure, revamping the midfield was always the plan, with three new faces always likely. That was partly contingent on Manuel Ugarte leaving, but his World Cup injury, which will rule him out for the majority of the season, saw his wages covered by FIFA, allowing United to press on.
The return of Marcus Rashford strengthened the left-hand side, but the failure to sign a left-back could prove costly. Rashford's reintegration followed Barcelona's decision to spend £69million on Anthony Gordon, which blindsided the 28-year-old. United became exasperated with Barcelona's approach and resolved not to sanction another loan or accept an offer of less than £26million.
United had hoped to sign a young left-back such as Lewis Hall or Myles Lewis-Skelly as a succession plan for Luke Shaw, who has a year left on his contract. However, Newcastle refused to sell Hall, and Lewis-Skelly wanted to stay at Arsenal.
Failed left-back pursuits
United made an enquiry for Barcelona's Alejandro Balde and even called Manchester City on Tuesday to check on Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has been an unused substitute in all three of the Blues' games. City wanted a loan with an obligation to buy, but United had no interest in a permanent move for the 25-year-old.
Left-back will be revisited, along with centre-back, next summer. This window was all about the midfield.
Midfield deals and data-led approach
The first deal United agreed was a £38.3million package with Atalanta for Ederson, but that collapsed after medical tests raised concern over a knee injury. United then moved on, with their pursuit of Elliot Anderson ending when it became clear he would cost more than £100million.
United's data-led process saw Santos arrive for £48million plus £2million in add-ons, with the 22-year-old impressing in pre-season. Baleba's £70million move from Brighton was secured late in August, with United reeling off his data during the announcement. Tielemans joined after his £35million release clause was activated at Aston Villa.
United brought in £38million when Rasmus Hojlund's loan to Napoli was made permanent, but raised just £10million through the sales of Radek Vitek and Toby Collyer. Initial expectations of raising close to £100million were not met, with Rashford's potential move to Barcelona failing to materialise, Ugarte injured, and Joshua Zirkzee seeing three potential loan moves collapse.
The failure to raise as much money as expected made life more difficult for United this summer, and time will tell whether they have managed to do enough.
