Leny Yoro, £52m, CB (18)
With Real Madrid and Liverpool knocking at his door, United feel they have snatched a generational talent away from the hands of key rivals across Europe with the signing of Yoro from Lille. While it feels inevitable Yoro has a seat reserved at the very top table of European football, I would question the necessity of a signing of this nature at this current stage of the cycle.
While I’m sure the long-term payoff is there, I’m not sure this signing helps United (or ETH for that matter) in the immediate short term. In a window with limited financial resources, this signing still raises a few question marks from me.
Rating: 7/10
Manuel Ugarte, £50.5m, CM (24)
Arriving in the final days of the window, Manuel Ugarte was chased by United throughout the entire window and was reportedly United’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd midfield priority signing. Despite being cast aside by PSG manager Luis Enrique, Ugarte does possess a unique and interesting skill-set that made him the primary target for United.
It remains to be seen if he can recapture the exciting form from his Sporting Lisbon days, Ugarte does appear to remain limited on the ball (while excellent off it). Coupled with his late arrival that may see him take “weeks or months” to be ready for the first team, this signing is another 7/10 in my books.
Rating: 7/10
Mathijs De Ligt, £43m, CB, (25) – 6.5/10
The Dutch centre back arrives at Old Trafford with an impressive collection of clubs on his CV but has failed to make his mark on his travels since leaving Ajax in 2019. Where, you guessed it, he was managed by Erik Ten Hag and made Ajax’s youngest ever captain.
With the departing Varane and injury-prone nature of United’s remaining CB options, another addition in this area of the pitch was needed. If he can return to his Ajax form he could yet prove to be a smart piece of business, but that remains to be seen.
Rating: 6.5/10
Joshua Zirkzee, £36.5m, ST (23)
The 23-year-old arrives at Old Trafford after his release clause was activated from Bologna, A self-described 9.5 (not a traditional no. 9 or no. 10) Zirkzee is an interesting signing for a United side that was crying out for a more traditional no.9.
With Martial departing there was an obvious need to strengthen in this position and Zirkzee provides some cover across the front line and behind. I remain to be convinced this is a long-term Manchester United forward, I can see the logic behind the signing.
Rating: 6.5/10
Noussair Mazraoui, £17.2m, RB (26)
The Moroccon full-back joins United as yet another ex-Ajax player from the Ten Hag era. Perhaps like Thanos, Ten Hag just needs the final infinity stones before his master plan all clicks into place?
For a cut-price fee of £17.2m this signing is a very logical cover option for both full-back positions and his on the ball ability surpasses that of the departing Wan-Bissaka. A smart bit of business, but one I still question why we didn’t snap up on a free when he departed Ajax the same window as Erik Ten Hag.
Rating – 7/10
For a first summer under the new INEOS regime, I think we’ve concluded some sensible business. The significant departures list is perhaps more impressive than the incoming business, with sensible fees, clauses and buybacks present we could reap the rewards of smart negotiating for many seasons to come.
The incoming business receives an overall rating of a 7/10, a pass mark. Not something you run home to stick on the kitchen fridge and be proud of, but something sensible and smart that you can build on for next time. With many new senior executives still getting their feet under the table the real power of a proper football structure may still take some time to come to fruition.
With many of his infinity stones now in place, can Erik Ten Hag recapture the magic of his infamous Ajax side before his time runs out? [inserts poorly generated AI image to demonstrate point]
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