Manchester United will step up their pre-season work next week as they travel to Ireland for a training camp, with the final two friendlies of the summer against Leeds in Dublin and AC Milan in Wroclaw. This week should see the return of the last of the World Cup contingent, and Michael Carrick will have a full squad to work with, but there have still been only three new signings, leaving plenty of uncertainty around the transfer window at Old Trafford.
Why are the owners so reluctant to spend money?
Every United supporter can see that the team is still three players short: a defensive midfielder, a winger, and either a centre-back or a left-back. United have been overly cautious this summer, at a time when their rivals are spending money faster than it's being printed, making for a fascinating contrast heading into the season.
While it feels quiet at the moment, more activity and spending are expected. There is a feeling at United that they should be judged when the window is shut, rather than now.
Why not bring back Jadon Sancho as a winger?
If United had any desire to keep Sancho, they would have offered him a new contract. He's had loan spells at Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Aston Villa, and none of those clubs have wanted to keep him. He's been a free agent for nearly six weeks and hasn't got a club lined up, so he's hardly in demand.
If Rashford remains at Old Trafford, United don't need a winger anyway. It will be interesting to see where Sancho ends up, but it feels like he really needs to knuckle down to fulfil the potential everyone could see he had.
Are United doing anything about a backup for Bruno Fernandes?
There are no plans to sign a No.10 in this window. United did have some interest in Morgan Rogers, who could have played off the left and stood in for Fernandes, but they were never in the conversation at £117 million.
This squad has players who can play there. Matheus Cunha's best position is as a No.10, and Shea Lacey has twice started there in pre-season and looked really good. Amad is another who has played centrally, either as a false nine or as a No.10, so United are in a position where they can rest Fernandes more often this season, which is something they really need to do.
What are Ineos thinking about Rashford?
As things stand, Rashford remaining at United and playing this season is the most likely outcome, although everything around this situation is subject to change. United would still like to sell Rashford and would snap someone's hand off for £25 million, but there are people close to Rashford who believe United don't actually want to sell him at all.
If anything is to happen, it will be late in the window. For his part, Rashford wants to remain in the Champions League and amongst Europe's elite, so forget about Turkey or Saudi Arabia.
How many more players will United sign?
United will likely sign fewer players than expected at the start of the window. Two more are expected: a left-back and a midfielder. However, that midfielder may not be a traditional No.6. Carrick wants midfielders who are comfortable on the ball and can pass it, and while there are No.6s who tick every box, they cost a lot of money. It could be another high-level technical player in the £30 million to £50 million price range.
Do United think Dan Gore and Toby Collyer have a future?
The ship has sailed for Collyer. He turns 23 in January and at best will be fifth or sixth choice for United next season. He is up for sale this summer and is likely to leave on a permanent basis. Gore could be sold as well. He is 22 in September and although he had a really good loan at Rotherham in League One last season, he isn't ready for the Premier League but has outgrown academy football, so a move makes sense for all parties.
