We all know transfer deadline day has the ability to raise football fans’ expectations – not to mention temperatures – to dangerously high levels. But the total meltdown of Manchester United fans which greeted the summer window closing was more scalding than the inside of an active volcano.
Red Devils supporters’ tempers were left at boiling point due to their club’s inactivity on the final day, spewing Twitter barbs in the direction of Ed Woodward, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, anyone in fact who cared to listen; like balls of molten hot lava erupting from Mount Vesuvius.
Unhappy? Fair enough. Many fans are after the deadline passes. Despite some excellent business completed by Solskjaer and Co, the majority of United followers would ideally have wanted a midfielder to be added to the squad this summer – particularly considering Ander Herrera’s unpopular exit.
But the heat fans directed Woodward’s way was, frankly, obscene.
This article is by no means a shield under which the United executive vice chairman will find shelter from the heat. Far from it. The fact an accountant and investment banker is heading up football player recruitment at one of the biggest football clubs in the world is shambolic. And yet, it’s also been one of the more astute and sensible summers overseen by the 47-year-old.
Have United fans forgot how porous their defence was last year? Fifty four goals conceded in 38 games – embarrassingly much more than double the tally of champions Manchester City (23) and runners-up Liverpool (22). And more than all of the five teams that finished above them; Chelsea and Tottenham (39), Arsenal (51).
United fans did not see a lack of activity on transfer deadline day as a laughing matter Ed.
It resulted in a goal difference of only +11. Arsenal were closest with +22, while Liverpool (+67) and City (+72) were mere specs on the horizon. More worrying was the fact five teams who finished below the Red Devils in the table shipped fewer goals – Wolves, Everton (both 46), Leicester, Newcastle (both 48) and Crystal Palace (53); the latter two clubs finished 12th and 13th.
Two seasons ago, United may have finished a distant 19 points adrift of City in second place – the largest ever gap between champions and runners-up in the Premier League era – but Jose Mourinho’s miserly defence conceded just 28 goals. Almost half the amount of 2018/19.
To put it into context the 54 goals allowed last season was the most the club had conceded in a Premier League season, by some distance too. The previous highest was 45, in both 2000/01 when they finished third and 1999/00 – at least they had the treble to comfort them that year.
You have to go back to 1978/79 for last season’s defensive disaster to be surpassed, when 63 goals were conceded.
So, heading into this summer the priority was clear – defence. It’s been clear for some years.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – he of the third most tackles in Europe’s top five leagues last season – was brought in from Crystal Palace. You’ll remember they conceded less goals than United last season as well. Harry Maguire was acquired with a similarly hefty sum from Leicester. You’ll remember they conceded less goals than United last season, too.
All of a sudden United’s leaky back line has been plugged with the addition of two quality players.
A back five of David De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw now looks formidable. United even have a legitimate claim to possess possibly the best defence in the league.
Looking ahead 🕸🔴💭 #AWB #MUFC pic.twitter.com/DxAtrfAb8X
— Aaron Wan-Bissaka (@awbissaka) July 27, 2019
Whether that’s true or not is up for debate. But United at least head into the new season with their defence now looking shipshape rather than the shipwreck it resembled last term.
Daniel James is the third United arrival. Not as heralded as either of his defensive comrades. Nowhere near as expensive either. But he is a bright prospect and will compliment United’s new-look attack. Solskjaer wants to play with pace and energy. He wants to press and be fluid and James is a good fit, as evidenced in pre-season, where he and United impressed.
Of course it is not perfect. United have not been perfect for a long time. Issues remain, most pressingly in midfield where quality is lacking. But, again, effort and energy is not. Here United impressed again, with Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira among the Red Devils’ summer standouts. And, of course, they do still possess Paul Pogba.
United fans were convinced Bruno Fernandes was going to arrive from Sporting Lisbon. Portuguese media fuelled talk of a potential deal all summer. And yet, the flames were actually never fanned. It is thought Fernandes was only ever of superficial interest to the club and never a serious target.
Other chatter suggests the 24-year-old would only have been pursued had United profited handsomely from the sale of Pogba.
United fans – and critics – were so determined to taint and taunt United’s perceived paltry summer haul that they claimed Marouane Fellaini had not been replaced. An excuse almost as funny as the court jester-type figure of fun the frizzy-haired Belgian played while donning the red jersey.
There are other fears too. For all his technical faults, Romelu Lukaku was a gluttonous goalscorer during his two seasons at United. Forty two scored in 96 games for the Red Devils is ravenous form. Too bad not enough were scored against premier opposition or on the biggest stages.
What a week, dreams do come true ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fdSUzogjVe
— Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) August 9, 2019
The biggest fear here is Solskjaer spreading himself thin in the striking department with only 17-year-old protege Mason Greenwood and an anemic Alexis Sanchez able to cover Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
But Greenwood is a prodigious talent and Solskjaer and many at the club have faith he can play a significant role this season.
In addition, the squad is bloated. A pile of unwanted driftwood has been allowed to build. United have 13 defenders on their books – Leeds United had only three more total players in their traveling squad to Australia that played the Red Devils in a pre-season friendly in Perth last month.
Marcos Rojo looks horribly out of place in any United XI and Matteo Darmian, while unfortunate, has ultimately proved not up to standard.
So, burning issues remain. But fans shouldn’t be fooled into thinking Old Trafford is on fire. The only thing red-hot should be the excitement heading into the new campaign. The only thing fans need to fuel is their belief.
