Manchester United have lost the ability to do “transfer dark arts”, says football writer Andy Mitten | Football news

Man Utd will travel to Brighton for the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and then host Tottenham in the Premier League next Sunday – watch both matches live on Sky Sports

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United We Stand editor Andy Mitten reveals a conversation he had with a former Manchester United player about the club’s inability to do the ‘dark arts of transfers’

Manchester United have lost the ability to perform the “dark arts of transfers” and supporters have received “mixed messages” from the club, according to soccer writer Andy Mitten.

United bought Donny van de Beek from Ajax in a deal worth up to £ 39m, but the midfielder remains their only arrival this summer despite efforts to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Porto’s left back Alex Telles.

Throughout the summer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team has also been linked to moves by Gareth Bale and Sergio Reguilon, who have joined Tottenham, and Liverpool’s new midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

United manager Solskjaer says the club is “working hard” in the transfer market and could do more business before October 5, but the lack of activity so far in this window has led to widespread fan discontent. .

Mitten – the fanzine editor We stand united – He says the fans don’t believe in the club’s strategy, referring to a recent conversation he had with a former United player.

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Speaking on The Transfer Show, Kaveh Solhekol outlines a number of reasons why Manchester United may be waiting until next week before bidding on Jadon Sancho.

“United fans don’t have much faith in the club’s hiring policy. They feel there have been mixed messages,” Mitten said. Sky Sports News.

“In March / April, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the club could perhaps take advantage of the coronavirus situation because it could be in a stronger financial position, but at one point United were the only Premier League team that did not sign a single player in this transfer window.

“A former player told me this week, a legendary United player, that the club has lost the ability to do the dark arts of transfers and gave an example.

In April, Manchester United Executive Vice President Ed Woodward said the club has the financial capacity to be competitive in the transfer market.

“If Sir Alex Ferguson wanted a player, the player would know that Ferguson wanted him, he would know where he was going to play and they would sell him the dream. Then he would go to his agent and say ‘look, I want to leave.’

“It is very difficult for a club then to negotiate when they know that this player wants to go to Manchester United.

“It was the opinion of this player that those dark arts had been lost and you can see it, because United have been linked to all these players and they do not usually have any control with the agents who link their players to the club.

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Kaveh Solhekol confirms that talks have been held between Manchester United and Porto on an agreement for left-back Alex Telles

“It is very frustrating for the fans because they are getting completely mixed messages and so far they have only seen one player come in.

“I don’t think anyone has the same pulling power as Sir Alex Ferguson, but to be fair to Ole, he’s been making calls and I know he’s talked to various coaches about players he likes.

“He’s doing detailed background checks and I don’t think it’s his fault. It’s the club’s recruiting system that hasn’t worked since Sir Alex Ferguson moved in.”

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‘Lack of competition is costing United’

United finished third in the Premier League last season, a significant improvement over the previous season, but trailed champions Liverpool by 33 points and Manchester City in second place by 15.

His latest 3-2 win at Brighton on Saturday secured his first three points of 2020/21, but it was a disappointing display. It followed last week’s loss to Crystal Palace, and Mitten believes it highlights the need for more competition on the team.

“United have played two league games and played quite poorly in both. They deserved to lose to Palace and were very lucky to win against Brighton. The problem here is that the manager doesn’t feel like he has competition in all positions,” Mitten said . .

“Victor Lindelof probably wouldn’t have started yesterday if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt he had more competition. Lindelof has played well in the past and will probably play well in the future, he played very well against Manchester City for example, but there is a lack of competition. .

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FREE TO SEE: Highlights from Manchester United’s victory against Brighton in the Premier League

“United felt they needed more competition in midfield, that’s why Donny van de Beek has come in. They feel like they need more competition up front, because what if one of those top three brilliant players gets injured? That’s why Jadon Sancho has been the main objective.

“They also want more competition at the left back. Judging from the way they played the defense at Brighton, they need more competition at the back.

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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is only focused on winning games with various members of his team who do not play regularly.

“United fans are not happy. It has been a poor transfer window in their eyes. Only one player has come in, United is struggling to get rid of players. Players who are making too much money and who have received contracts. These players Do you want to play soccer or do you just want to collect money and sit on the bench?

“The squad is absolutely huge, but the fact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt he couldn’t play another player in place of Victor Lindelof against Brighton shows how little confidence he has in the other defenders at Manchester United.”

See Manchester United’s trip to Brighton in the Carabao Cup, live Soccer Sky Sports from 7.30pm on Wednesday; start 19:45 h.

Manchester United then returns to league action to host Tottenham, live Sky Sports Premier League starting at 4 pm next Sunday; start at 4.30 pm.

Summer Transfer Period: Key Dates and Times

Summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday, October 5 with an activity party in line Transfer deadline in Sky Sports News Y on our Sky Sports platforms.

A national-only window for deals between the Premier League and the EFL runs from October 5 and closes on Friday, October 16 at 5 p.m. Follow all news and analysis on SSN and to the other side Sky sports‘digital platforms, even with our dedicated Transfer Center blog.

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