[ad_1]
Manchester United completed a move from left field for prominent forward Edinson Cavani an hour before the transfer deadline, but for the second window in a row their business is being categorized by those who got away, and by a confusing market strategy and random. .
Ten months after United fans were horrified that their club failed to replace Romelu Lukaku or Alexis Sánchez in January, making a last-minute offer for Odion Ighalo out of nowhere, the scenario was repeated.
The Stretford End awaited Jadon Sancho after a four-month high-profile manhunt in which United agreed personal terms with the player’s agent but refused to pay the sales price. Then when it became obvious that the deal couldn’t be done, they were tempted by the stories of Ousmane Dembélé at Barcelona or Ismaila Sarr at Watford, only to learn that both players wanted a permanent move and United would only offer a deal of loan.
Instead, Executive Vice President Ed Woodward and his recruiting team traded in Cavani, 33, a totally different player in terms of age and style of play. Confused? Well, you won’t be alone.
Cavani’s arrival, on a two-year contract after being out of contract for nearly seven months since leaving Paris St Germain, would have been greeted with enthusiasm in almost any other era.
After all, he is one of the biggest names in the world of football, scoring 341 goals in 556 club games, including 200 in 301 for PSG, and has won 18 major trophies in his career so far. You deserve respect.
Cavani said: “Manchester United are one of the best clubs in the world, so it is a real honor to be here. I have worked very hard during my free time and I am looking forward to competing and representing this incredible club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe’s top scorers in the last 10 years is fantastic and will really benefit them in the future.” But, perhaps influenced by United’s recent woes, including a 6-1 home loss to Tottenham, the reaction has been mixed.
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp summed up the debate by saying: “He could get by and he could be a complete failure, and his salary is definitely not cheap. It’s a bet. Why did they wait so long to do it if they were sure of it? He’s been a free agent for weeks and no one else has stepped in. It smells a bit like last minute thing. ”
United legend Andy Cole disagreed, noting that Cavani’s experience could benefit younger players and provide a similar impact to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But many fans were more concerned with the bigger picture, with Red News’s Barney Chilton saying, “So if I have this right, Plan A was Jadon Sancho. And then all of a sudden we realize that, with a few hours to go, Borussia Dortmund will remain on the line they have put in place for the last month. It’s funny that. And we struggle looking for an alternative like a child in a racing car.
“So now it’s Dembele. Oh no, it isn’t. Yes, we are in pantomime season. May Cry. You can only imagine with Ole Gunnar that Solskjaer must be feeling. ”
The uncomfortable truth is that since selling Lukaku in August 2020, the Belgian has scored 38 goals, and in the same period of time, Cavani, the injury-prone first man to replace him, has only managed seven. It is not surprising that questions are being asked.
United, which sold Chris Smalling to Roma before the deadline, secured a signing for Porto left-back Alex Telles, 27, on a four-year, 17 million euro deal and was chasing two young wingers. . The teenager Amad Diallo, with only 24 minutes of Serie A football to his name, signed from Atalanta but will not arrive until January, while Facundo Pellistri in Peñarol was also in talks ahead of the deadline.
Some of the club’s biggest rivals in the Premier League were having more success, and in particular Arsenal.
A late move from Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, the midfielder who has been at the top of Arsenal’s wanted list for so long, finally reaped dividends when the Gunners, unlike United, agreed to pay full sale price. of 50 million euros in the last minute.
Partey may turn out to be the leading midfielder Arsenal have needed for years; a tough defensive force with an eye for a tackle, the ability to organize teammates and the energy to advance at the right time.
League leaders Everton were also happy. They spent 28 million euros on Norwich defender Ben Godfrey to complete an outstanding window, while Tottenham chased Swansea defender Joe Rodon after acquiring Gareth Bale, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Sergio Reguillon, Matt Doherty, Joe Hart and Carlos Vinicius.
That deal could be finalized later this week – the deadline to negotiate with EFL clubs is not until October 16.
“Look at the Tottenham team now, look at that attack line. I even think they could win the league, ”said former coach Redknapp as he analyzed the window as a whole. It’s a comment that led to an understandable online debate, but it’s a discussion that very few Manchester United fans are having right now about their own team, even with the arrival of Cavani.
On the Irish front, Josh Cullen, West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen, who spent the last two seasons on loan at Charlton, has joined Anderlecht permanently.
Cullen will join Vincent Kompany’s team in a deal worth around € 900,000. “Josh is a midfielder who combines great running ability with guts and intensity,” said Peter Verbeke, Anderlecht sporting director.
“He’s good on the ball, strong in combination, has a good long ball and is known for his winning mentality and dedication, a true team player.”
And Jack Wilshere has been released by West Ham, ending two seasons at the club that were affected by injuries.
Leeds announced the signing of Brazilian winger Raphinha from Rennes for four years.
Theo Walcott has completed a one-season loan back to first club Southampton from Everton, the Saints announced.
[ad_2]