PRE-SEASON
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A pre-season which was both enlightening and worrisome as we struggled to beat the good teams, failed to take chances against the average ones but we were defensively very stable. With most of the squad away due to the World Cup holiday, it was a good chance for the youngsters in the club to stake their claim for the start of the season and it was Angel Gomes who was the most impressive of the lot. He was a constant menace either on the left wing or centrally and with players short of match fitness and a forgiving schedule, he might just get his chance at the beginning of the season.
Alexis Sanchez also impressed although he was played upfront with no senior strikers at the club while Greenwood played second fiddle to him. It was an overall pleasant experience but fully made me aware of what and how much work is needed at the club. When I arrived there were not enough coaches and no one knew where to start from. Many big coaches were not even ready to join us due to the lack of vision at the club and all that cobwebs will take a while to clear but it's a good beginning and I am hoping for a pleasant start to the season.
TRANSFERS
IN
View attachment 13162PATRICE EVRA - I needed a backup left-back for the season and who other than the United legend to shore up our defence in case of injury or squad rotation while also teaching the young squad the United Way of playing. He will serve up the role to be Shaw's deputy, mentor to the young full-backs as well as the DJ of the squad!
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DIMITAR BERBATOV - Another ex-United player who joins us for the season, Berbatov will have a similar role to Evra at the club. He will be backup to Lukaku and Rashford while I am planning on playing him and Greenwood together in the cups so there is less pressure on the youngster as well.
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PELAYO MORRILA - The Spanish midfielder can play on the left and through the middle and had a very cheap release clause. This proved to be the trump points as he was preferred over Antonio Marin for the role. While I wanted to sign Marin as well, I would rather give a chance to Gomes on the left and Gribbin/Barlow through the middle rather than youth players of other academies.
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MATTHIJS DE LIGT - The defence was in serious need of upgrade and depth and while looking at various alternatives, the Dutchman seemed the best option. Coming in for 23 Million and 16 to be paid based on performance and appearance, the young defender is a coup for the club. Chased by every club in the world, he is a defensive rock, a leader at the back and can bring the ball our brilliantly. I am very excited to partner him with Lindelof or Bailly!
PLAYERS OUT
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Matteo Darmian - I had too many right backs and he was the best saleable asset I had. He goes off to Southampton for an initial 13.75 Million with a further 5 based on performance and 10 % of any further sale. A nice deal for me which partially funded the De Ligt deal.
Review
A decent transfer window as we were able to plug in a position we needed while selling off dead-wood which was possible too. With lots of players coming late from holidays, I didn't want many signings and neither could I sell many players. With 53 Million still in the kitty, I might dip my toes in the water if needed otherwise the academy will step up.
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