**The midfield rebuild is the one thing Man Utd did right this transfer window, but even that will be looked at differently now. **
Deadline day came and went without any action from Man Utd, as a left-back and a striker didn’t arrive, while the deal for Louis Page collapsed.
As it stands, Michael Carrick’s squad is one player deeper (Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro out, three CMs in), for a season where United will play at least ten more games.
The worst thing about that realisation is that the midfield rebuild will also be looked at differently now.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Ineos won a lot of plaudits for their approach to the midfield rebuild, as they pivoted and did some great work financially and tactically.
After striking out on deals for Mateus Fernandes and Elliot Anderson, they pivoted to Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
The latter duo is much better value for money than the former, with Anderson, in particular, getting exposed as a limited player.
This was a clear and precise United operating within parameters and getting their hands on the best deals when everyone was going crazy.
The third signing, Carlos Baleba, was even better, as he was signed for an initial £65m after waiting for him for a season.
This rebuild gathered plaudits because United signed three PL-proven midfielders for around the same fee Man City spent on Enzo Fernandez alone.
However, as the transfer window ends, that rebuild has aged as penniless instead of frugal, because that saved money hasn’t been spent elsewhere.
For Man Utd fans, the logic behind being smart with the midfield rebuild was that the team had other holes to fill as well.
Naturally, the money saved by being smart with the three midfield signings would go elsewhere to increase the number of options at Carrick’s disposal.
As it stands, that money has gone straight back into the club’s coffers, as those three midfielders are the only bona fide first-team signings made this summer.
To do this after a season where you qualified for UCL is indefensible, and Ineos need to answer for their carelessness.
The rebuild which looked like a launchpad for greater things ended up being the finishing line, which is just not good enough.
Follow the story
