Manchester United's underwhelming transfer window and other key issues heading into Premier League season

Underwhelming transfer window

United’s summer began with the signing of Fred, which came with requisite hype – he was the second player, after Alexis Sanchez, to be prised away from the clutches of fellow admirers Manchester City.

However, after the Brazilian failed to play a single minute at the World Cup, the aura around his signing has dissipated – even if that was partly injury-enforced.

Couple that with United’s other transfer business, the addition of 19-year-old right-back Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant as third-choice goalkeeper, and it’s safe to say United fans are underwhelmed by their club’s summer business.

But the news that really sunk United fans was that of Marouane Fellaini signing a contract extension. In one stroke, Fellaini’s decision to stay symbolised the continuation of the functional, uninspiring nature of United’s play under Mourinho, and allowed the manager to conclude his work was done in terms of bolstering his midfield. No Sergej Milinkovic-Savic arrival, or that of anyone else, looks likely now.

Stick or twist with Martial?

The Anthony Martial situation is resulting in two stand-offs. One is between club and player, with Martial adamant about wanting to leave and thus seemingly irked that United can trigger a one-year extension to his contract, which otherwise expires after this season. For United, doing so is a no-brainer – the extension gives them more leverage in transfer negotiations.

But a second stand-off is emerging within the club. Mourinho is apparently ready to let Martial go, as long as it’s not to a Premier League rival. CEO Ed Woodward, on the other hand, doesn’t want to sell the youngster at all. Watching the Frenchman flourish elsewhere would be a huge regret for United.

Meanwhile, Martial will be the team’s starting striker on opening day, with Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford still on post-World Cup holidays. The club are hoping good form and an extended run in the first XI would convince both player and manager that Martial is a part of United’s future.

An un-Mourinho defence

United finished with the league’s second-best defensive record, conceding only 28 goals. Yet the defence still seems an area of concern.

Phil Jones had pundits purring at the beginning of last season, as he was hailed as the best English defender around. He ended it by floundering against Eden Hazard in the FA Cup final.

Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are inconsistent and mistake-prone, Eric Bailly was strangely discarded in the second half of the campaign and Victor Lindelof’s maiden season at United was spent acclimatising to England.

Mourinho prioritises a solid defence above all else, so expect the Red Devils’ rearguard to be upgraded in the coming weeks, with a big-money move for Leicester City’s England hero Harry Maguire being considered.

Style of play

Pre-season is no indicator of a club’s performance, especially with World Cup exertions depleting squads of many first-choice players. It’s no surprise that United haven’t looked at their best without Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Lukaku, and Rashford.

The question is whether they will ever be that side under Mourinho.

United showed flashes of being a juggernaut last season, especially at the beginning when they were nearly matching City goal for goal. As their form began to dip, however, Mourinho’s returned, with the side playing less and less exciting football.

Second place was a worthy achievement but it was never going to satisfy United fans who could see their neighbours conquer the Premier League with a side playing thrilling football.

Mourinho may never match Pep Guardiola in that regard, and if he wins, it won’t matter. But it’ll be heartening for United fans to see the handbrake lifted against the lesser lights of the league, at the very least.

Title ambitions

The biggest question on any United fan’s mind at the moment is whether this side is good enough to reign supreme over City and everyone else.

Guardiola’s side are seemingly poised to continue their dominance, Liverpool look a more threatening side than last year, and Tottenham and new-look Chelsea and Arsenal sides should be expected to offer more of a challenge.

At the moment, United seem to be relying on internal development to stave off everyone else, hoping that a newly-crowned world champion Paul Pogba will be an improvement on last year’s version, Sanchez will be fresh after his first full summer in five years, and Lingard and Rashford will have developed even further after their own thrilling World Cup run.

Will that be enough?