Is the uproar over United’s transfer window justified?
Some Manchester United fans were swift to take to social media as the clock struck 5pm on Thursday evening and the transfer window was firmly shut.
The pitchforks were all out for the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, with supporters feeling underwhelmed at the business done over the summer months at Old Trafford.
One ‘fan’ saw his post go viral on social media, with 20,000 likes on Twitter, as he set a Manchester United shirt ablaze alongside #WoodwardOut.
Emotions run high when there are no results to look to and supporters wonder how their side will do in the season ahead.
However, looking at the players brought in and those moved on, this should be seen as a positive first summer window for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Firstly, the Norwegian always stated that he would look to bring through young talent from the club’s famous academy.
This served the United of old well under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Solskjaer will look to use that same method to bring the good times back to Old Trafford.
Two outstanding young stars have been brought into the club, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka joining from Crystal Palace, while winger Daniel James has arrived from Swansea City.
Both players have blistering pace, something United appeared to be lacking last season under former boss Jose Mourinho.
After a drawn-out battle with rivals Manchester City, United also earned the services of Leicester City defender Harry Maguire.
The England centre-back is one of the best in the Premier League and his influence on the rest of the defence will be invaluable.
Added to that, United ended Romelu Lukaku’s difficult spell at Old Trafford and got good money for the Belgian international, who has moved on to pastures new with Inter Milan.
Fans can’t suggest the funding was not there over the summer, as United topped the charts with the amount spent at £148m.
They are arguably being punished for being too organised in the window and getting most of their business done early.
If Wan-Bissaka, James and Maguire had all been done on a frantic final day of the window, supporters might be more positive.
There were other names being linked with moves to Old Trafford, including Juventus forwards Paolo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic, along with Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
The disappointment of not landing any of those players appears to have overshadowed the good work United have done in the market.
United’s young stars now have a chance to prove themselves, and if they do make a positive start to the season, missed summer signings will soon be forgotten.