Best and Worst Moves Manchester United Could Make in the Transfer Window

We have reached the point in the transfer window when fans start to get antsy if their club does not have its business concluded, and Manchester United supporters are no exception.

It is hard to blame them, either, given the relentless speculation those on social media are exposed to. The Europa League final was on May 24, and while United have brought in Victor Lindelof since, the rest of their targets remain unacquired.

There is plenty of time before the season starts, transfers are complicated and the planes that will whisk United off on their pre-season tour are still a fair way from needing to be fuelled up and ready to go.

But given that people have spent more than a month thinking about the transfer market, we thought we would ask them what they believe United should—and should not—do between now and the end of August.

This is an interesting take, one that makes a good deal of sense given United's manager is Jose Mourinho. The previous incumbent, Louis van Gaal, was a fan of multifunctional players. Raised in the Dutch school of thinking, it is easy to see why he valued total footballers. Mourinho, on the other hand, prefers a specialist. 

In 21st century football, there are plenty of attackers who can play up front, behind a striker or as inside forwards. Had United signed Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, they would have had to find a position for him, but if they concentrate on players with specific roles, Mourinho can build around that.

This is a related point. The difference in preference between specialists and multifunctional players is one example of why having an overarching vision for player recruitment is important. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United were essentially an autocracy—there was no need for a director of football because Sir Alex served that function.

Now, though, unless the club expects Mourinho to stay for a decade or so—and history suggests that is extremely unlikely—United could benefit from a more joined-up approach.

Six of the 12 players Van Gaal brought to the club have gone already: Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Victor Valdes. It would not be a shock if another couple left this summer. This is an example of the uncertainty that comes with managerial changes. A director of football would be a good move, although it might be tricky to pull off with Mourinho at the helm.

Oh, and as for Wayne Rooney, in what might make for painful reading for the club captain, the idea that keeping him would be one of the worst things United could do reared its head time and again.

Another structural point rather than being about a specific player. In the past couple of summers, United have done quite a bit of their business ahead of the panic-stations last week of the transfer window. Mourinho will no doubt hope he knows his squad before the season starts, and the point about allowing room for targetting a huge star is well taken.

If all the solid, important business is taken care of, going after a glamorous long shot cannot hurt. If it is not, then those prospective blockbuster deals take away valuable mindshare in terms of addressing more vital long-term targets.

There was, in the interests of balance, one suggestion that signing Ivan Perisic would be one of the best moves United could make, but his name appeared far more frequently on the other side of the equation.

Although some fans take a distinct trust-the-manager approach, it is easy to see why many are dubious about a big-money move for the Croatian.

The numbers, in terms of Perisic's historical output levels, do not add up. The 28-year-old had a fine season for Inter Milan last time out, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists, but that is by far and away his most productive season in recent memory. He has not hit double figures for assists at any time in the past five years and has only done so for goals twice: last season and at Wolfsburg in 2013/14.

The other key problem perceived by fans is Perisic is a left-winger and that bringing him in might mean more time on the sidelines for Anthony Martial. The 21-year-old Frenchman is extremely popular at United, thanks in no small part to his contribution during his first season, Van Gaal's last.

Getting rid of Martial hit many people's "worst move" lists.

They are two tweets mentioning Alvaro Morata, who seems to be a popular potential signing among United's support. The Real Madrid striker is not an automatic first choice under Zinedine Zidane, though he did play more than 1,300 minutes of league football last time out, per WhoScored.com, making 14 starts.

Madrid's smorgasbord of attacking talent means there is no shame in being a rotation option there, and he managed a remarkable-under-the-circumstances 15 goals in La Liga in 2016/17.

Fifteen is, though, the number of goals he got across two seasons with Juventus in Serie A. He was a young up-and-comer at that point, so it is not a huge knock against him that he was not more prolific, but while there is plenty of cause for optimism should he sign, his arrival would not seem to be any guarantee of future success.

There are also questions about what his arrival would mean for Martial and, more pertinently, Marcus Rashford. Martial has proved himself comfortable on the left flank, but Rashford's best performances have come when he's played through the middle. Morata is just 24, so unlike, say, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he cannot be thought of as a short-term signing to tide United over until Rashford is ready for the big time.

The local lad would likely have to resign himself to a few seasons of playing away from the centre-forward berth in which he has so impressed. If United were signing guaranteed goals, the effect it would have on Rashford would be easier to forgive. But the potential transfer has downsides as well as positives.

If he signs and is brilliant, the above passage will look faintly ridiculous.

"

Not sure about it being the worst move, but not shifting either one of Jones or Smalling would be bad. Fabinho the best move.

— Mohsin (@MohsinArain91) June 29, 2017"

Fabinho, the Brazilian who helped guide AS Monaco to the Ligue 1 title last season, would be a fine addition. He has spent a good part of his career at wing-back but was extremely effective in the heart of Monaco's midfield last term. And again, selling Martial would be a big mistake.

Other than Rooney, there has not been a lot of talk about outgoings beyond a general "whatever you do, do not sell Martial" vibe. Selling some of United's less impressive performers should be a priority this summer. One of their two England centre-backs, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, would be a decent candidate for departure, particularly with Lindelof's arrival.

One interesting general point about the responses to the request for people's best or worst transfer moves is not too many people were advocating superstar-level signings. What United fans want as a collective is for the weak spots in the squad to be bolstered with a sensible approach.

Given the past few summers have seen superstar arrivals, it is interesting the expectation is that will not continue.

There is a long way to go before this summer is over. It will be fascinating to see how closely the club's business mirrors fans' desires.