Disappointed, at a minimum.

Yes, it was written in between the lines.

People getting fired at the Club, standards are low, results are poor, performances go up and down as the wind…

And the Business side of the Club, that is historically one of the highest performers, is surprisingly low!

This mix created the perfect storm for the Winter Market to be exactly like it was – uncomfortable and quiet.

The question is not if Dorgu, or a left-side wing, was needed.

Of course it was!

And will improve the team, surely!

But, the Club needs much more than that.

Much, much more.

More quality and depth on the team, to start.

The Winter Market is, or should be, by definition, a market for small adjustments.

It shows, until certain point, how organized is the Club, how the Season was planned and prepared, etc.

It also shows how the Season is going.

Clubs that are struggling with their performances, or table positions, rush into more signings.

However, looking at the January Market of the biggest teams there’s a lot going on.

From actual signings for the 1st Team to loan players needing another Club, these days are busy.

For instance, at The Premier League, Chelsea FC – the one between the big-5 that registers more trades during this period from 2021/2022 Season – although they haven’t signed anyone for 1st Team now, they got players to replace somewhere else. 

Manchester City, on the other hand, made 5 signings this last weeks (although Juma was then sent on loan to RC Lens in France), clearly showing an insufficient Season Planning from last Summer and a needed rush during January.

As a side note, Arsenal has been the most quiet Club when facing the Winter Market, with a total of 9 trades over the same period, since 2021/22, and mostly being loan deals for existent players that need another relocation.

In Portugal, the situation is somehow similar, with SL Benfica being (by far) the one that makes more trades during this period over time – almost double than FC Porto, as an example.
This Season alone, the Club signed 6 players in January, when in the Summer there were already 7 new-signings completed, in a total of 13 new-signings, or € 74.600 M (!).
They were:
. Renato Sanches
. Leandro Barreiro

. Zeki Amdouni

. Álvaro Carreras

. Niklas Beste (already sold during this January Transfer Window)

. Rolheiser
. Aktürkoğlu

. Pavlidis

. Manu

. Bruma
. Issa Kaboré (already sent back to Manchester City during January)

. Samuel Dahl
. Andrea Belotti

However, the Club was able to have a total return of € 149.920 M (Million Euros) on players sold, largely influenced by the sales of Joāo Neves to PSG (France) in a total of almost € 60M and Marcos Leonardo to Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) for € 40M.

Sporting CP, on the other hand, signed 2 players in January, spending € 6 M.

Although they are still on a negative balance for transfers, with an investment of € 58.910 M so far in the Season and a total revenue of € 39.800 M, there are big sales expected in the pipeline for the Summer, mainly with the Striker Viktor Gyökeres, expecting to leave the Club soon.

So, what is the right Strategy?
How to face January?

Or, what it means to be successful during January Transfer Window?

We must assume that the Season always brings unexpected scenarios, as injuries that will take months to recover, however, the truth is that Clubs are not using it for adjustments, but as a normal trade Season.

When a Club makes more than 10 trades between ins and outs during this period, it’s not Strategic, or is it?

The problem?
Prices are inflated, seriously inflated.

Because everyone is competing and there’s no space for players to get used to their new Club, new weather and culture sometimes, new house for them and the family, new school for the kids, etc.
And Clubs don’t want to go through this processes and lose competitiveness in their own teams, so they increase prices to avoid being disturbed.

But let’s leave this thoughts for another text and get back to United.

I didn’t write a text about the Game on Sunday, another loss at Old Trafford this time against Crystal Palace, once I planned to use this text as a Summary of the Transfer window.

However, taking in consideration the above mentioned strategy (or lack of it) about January’s strategy, looking at the recent past since Ruben joined and at the resumes I’ve been writing here, it’s no surprise my belief that the coming months will bring frustration and request a lot of patience from all fans.

In my opinion, this is exactly what we are supposed to expect from Manchester United for the remaining of the Season:
. For some matches we will feel that the squad is improving, and it is, but one can only reach a certain level;

. For the great majority of the matches we will see the normal rollercoaster, specially at The Premier League;

. Definitely, we should expect the position on the table to be slightly better than it is now – I would say 10th place at the end of the race;

. Europa League should be faced as the savior of this Season, as it presents the only viable option to participate in European Competitions next Season, but it’s very unlikely on my eyes as United is yet not capable to score in the right moments;

. Therefore, most likely, the Club will not be participating at the European Competitions next Season;

. If this is the scenario, I’m assuming we should expect a very hard Summer Transfer window as well.

. However, this can also mean that the Club should not be under the FFP Rules (Financial Fair Play), as they are still exclusively applicable to teams participating in European Competitions, but they will be under the PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) from The Premier League.

. For the benefit of the team (hopefully), the PSR is related to 3 Seasons, which can play a decisive role in the kind of transformation the Club is capable to do during the Summer.

Let’s see how it goes and how Ruben is able to improve the team with only Dorgu arriving until the  end of this Season.

I’m certainly excited to see if Ruben’s scouting abilities are now prepared for the competition Manchester United is facing regularly.

This will set the tone for Summer, for sure!

What’s your take on the Transfer Window?
How do you think Clubs should position for this month?

Let’s discuss!

Disclaimer: I haven’t mention Heaven, a new-player also signed this January for United, not being disrespectfully or any of that, just because I have no sufficient knowledge about him, or his ability to create a positive impact on the team. It may surprise us (or me, at least) or he may not even play, as he’s just 18 years old.