This was supposed to be the summer transfer window Manchester United supporters had been demanding for a long time.
Money has been spent in recent years, over £200m splurged on a new forward line last summer – but one area of the team has always been neglected in each window.
Something has been missing in central midfield for a long time, perhaps ever since now-manager Michael Carrick hung up his boots. Supporters were assured that numbers and quality would finally be added to the engine room.
The numbers have come in – two central midfielders already – but the big-name, top targets have moved elsewhere. Even Tottenham are leaving United trailing in their wake. No other areas of the squad have been strengthened, other than a reserve goalkeeper.
So far, the net spend measures around £25m. Manchester City spent four times that on United’s top pick, Elliot Anderson.
