Premier League 2017-18: Ranking the transfer windows of all 20 teams
By James Dudko
3. Manchester United
Notable Ins: Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Victor Lindelof, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Notable Outs: Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj, Guillermo Varela
It’s strange the Premier League’s most successful club, managed by the bombastic Jose Mourinho, has been so quiet this summer. United have signed four players, including the £90-million deal for Romelu Lukaku, as well as bringing Zlatan Ibrahimovic back on a freebie.
Yet the manner of how the Red Devils approached the window should be applauded. They moved quickly and quietly for the players they wanted, getting their major business done early.
Yes, Arsenal and Chelsea fans are turning green with envy.
Of course, Chelsea supporters may still rue the decision to let Nemanja Matic move to Old Trafford. The Serb is the ideal midfield anchor, positionally disciplined and intelligent with his distribution.
Having Matic at the base of midfield will give Paul Pogba greater license to get forward. Expect the latter to finally start living up to his status as the second-most expensive transfer in history.
United paid over the odds for Lukaku, but he may turn out to be the ideal striker for Mourinho’s men. Yes, he struggles against the top six, but Lukaku being a so-called “flat-track bully” makes him just what the Red Devils need.
After all, United squandered numerous points against the supposed “lesser” teams last season.
The Lukaku deal will start to look suspect if one of United’s title rivals puts a run of form together. A tight race will demand United perform better against the top six than they fared last season, when the Reds managed just two wins.
If Lukaku still can’t score when there’s more significance on those games, his signing won’t look as good.
Mourinho also ought to accelerate the integration of costly centre-back Victor Lindelof. The former Benfica man has experienced a rocky beginning to his United career.
Overall though, United acquitted themselves well in this market. The club addressed obvious needs and avoided the late dash and scramble undertaken by many of their rivals.