Foden. Plays like a number 10 in the hole.
Bellingham. Plays like a number 10 through the hole.
Mainoo. Drifts like a number 10 into the hole.
Kane. Drops into the number 10 position.
Palmer. Plays like a number 10 instead of a winger.

Two very different CB transfers currently in the wings.

De Ligt who instructed his agent that he only want United now. This makes it straightforward for Bayern.
Yoro who wants Real Madrid but somehow United have the only bid accepted by Lille.

Guys, I think you're reading too much into a pre season game.

First few are usually about regaining fitness.

Sir Jim is a big fan of Southgate.

#Southgate2025 is getting real.
Then the club spends big on getting Kane, Bellingham, Rice and Palmer....and we can finally play like England!

I would view it in two parts; the transfer and the player.
Usually we focus on the player.

First the transfer. I think after a long time, Manchester United are operating like a decent football club in terms of strategising transfers.
We know the players we want and have individual strategies on how to approach them. Zirkzee was one, but Yoro was different. United knew Yoro had one year to go and preferred Madrid. The approach was to go in with a big bid hich Madrid were unlikely to match, and that will get Lille to try and convince the player to come to United. Otherwise, no way it happens.

Yoro is one of the best young talents in Europe. See Madrid collecting all the top young talent, and Madrid thought they were favourites to get Yoro.
Based on their finances after Mbappe, I think there was no way they would match United's bid.

While performance on the pitch remains to be seen, I cannot find any faults with the transfers so far.
So INEOS has been very on the ball. Great to see.


De Ligt now waits for United but we cannot complete the transfer without confirming outgoings.
So now we need to generate funds.

Not really "free".
Mbappe's signing on fee is reportedly a massive €150m, although spread over 5 years.

I like the fact that we're building for the future, and the now if he can adapt immediately. Buy the best young players and moulds them into the team rather than expensive big name signings.

That's why I hope we get De Ligt too. Martinez and De Ligt as the first choice pairing to give Yoro some space for growth, or throw in Yoro as a back 3.

That's why the important first step is to tell Everton to go fly kite when they asked 70M for Branthwaite.

Manchester Uni... Oh wait.

If Murtough was still here, maybe we'd be paying 80m for Branthwaite.

For me when Fabrizio says "Here we go", I believe it will.

Considering the lack of maintenance, showing prospective players around OT nowadays might result in them running away.

Though it is not blindly overpaying but as part of a strategy. Which I can appreciate.

If not, no way we get Yoro. Real Madrid was always going to get him. Player wanted Real too.

The strategy was to go on high and ensure other clubs, mainly Madrid, cannot follow us. That would mean Lille is on our side and will assist to convince the player to join United. The Lille chairman went all out to change Yoro's mind in the name of repaying the club faith in him. It's only this way that we can secure the transfer.

So it's a lot of money, yes. But I appreciate the strategy.
Not like last time paying 80M for a player nobody was bidding for.

Player swap with Harry Maguire. No cash.

Don't forget Sancho is still on our books.

I prefer him to be sold. Attitude problem is a bigger issue than ability.
I don't think he has anything positive to influence the squad or for youngsters to look up to.

United have informed Fiorentina they will not be triggering the buyout clause for Amrabat.

Pellestri loan move to Granada. Here we go.

We are essentially facing City with the same players we had last seasson. Plus Zirkzee.

Defenders are a familiar story. Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw and AWB are doubtful; the same 4 who were available almost every game for Ole as a guaranteed starting spot.
Getting more reliable players, and those who WANT to play for United, will be a long term process.

Chelsea management meeting :

"I want to win the League. Why is City winning it so consistently while we are not?"
"Squad depth sir. When teams start slowing down towards the end of the season, City does not."

Boehly : "Squad depth? Say no more, fam."