Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was appointed as Manchester United boss in 2018, is yet to lift any silverware despite reaching three semi-finals in his first full season in charge. Solskjaer’s work is cut out for him and, it is evident that the Red Devils need principal improvements if they plan on winning any titles this season. Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke expects a busy end to the transfer window. However, they have had a transfer let-down recently, in the form of Thiago Alcantara.
The iconic Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the greatest managers in English League history, legends Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney are highly disappointed and frustrated at Thiago’s failed transfer. The Scot had lined up Thiago as the club’s first addition after his retirement. Ferguson was known for making recruiting marquee signings while United were on top and as he left United as top-flight champions for the 20th time in 2013, he had prepared a deal for Thiago for new boss David Moyes who was to take the managerial reins after his compatriot’s 26-year stay at the club.
However, Moyes put a block on the move with a £17m deal in place for the then 22-year-old, who was leaving Barcelona for regular starts elsewhere. ESPN claim, Moyes did not feel he knew enough about Thiago and wanted his team-mate, Cesc Fabregas, instead. He refused to give the green light for signing Thiago and, in the meantime, the Red Devils chased star attacking players such as Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo and eventually, the deal was called off due to inactivity. The frustration and annoyance are understandable as Thiago, once again, slipped out of their grasp. Undoubtedly, the talented midfielder would’ve been a valuable and influential asset to the Red Devils.
Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer and ex-Everton ace, claimed “if Liverpool get Thiago from Bayern Munich”, it is pretty much a done deal for them to secure the Premier League title once again. Leaving this upsetting failed transfer in the past, what is next for Manchester United?
Former Red Devils forward, Teddy Sheringham, claims they will not be able to win any silver with Anthony Martial as their striker. Martial joined the ranks after Romelu Lukaku departed to Inter Milan. However, Sheringham is not satisfied and believes Manchester United should not simply rely on Martial for any Premier League titles.
“Manchester United won’t win the title with Anthony Martial as their number nine.
“When you’re playing at a club like that, scoring 20 goals in a season is good, but you’re looking at a 30-35 goal man to be the icing on the cake.
“Will he be that man? I’m not so sure.”
Although Manchester United have an optimistic attitude towards the new season and Paul Pogba, who looks like a new signing after his injury recovery, Sheringham believes the quality that the Red Devils need is just not there yet and that they are in need of top players “all over the pitch”.
United have made only one signing so far this summer in Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek. The former Ajax star is in line to make a debut against Palace. However, according to recent speculation, Manchester United have recently closed a deal on another “Paul Scholes” but Solskjaer isn’t too happy. Donny van de Beek, Netherlands international, remains the club’s only signing of the transfer window, despite having a strong interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
Solskjaer struggles to put on a brave face as he welcomes this new signing but is frustrated at the lack of transfer inactivity. Nonetheless, he seemed in good spirits ahead of his side’s Premier League showdown with Crystal Palace.
“And we want to take a step forward and, we can go into the new season with confidence, but we are looking to give the group a boost and, we are working on it.”
The Red Devils have not won the Premier League ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. It is up to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now to rebuild them to the same glory they maintained before. They will return to the Champions League this season having finished third in the Premier League last term.
