Manchester United was determined to stay out of the action during the January transfer window. In December, club officials informed supporters that they were determined not to spend this winter on players because they did not think it was the right moment to do so. All of this was fine until Wednesday, when their reactivity to the market came back to bite them.
The depth of the Old Trafford squad was severely harmed by Anthony Martial’s groin operation, which will keep him out of action for at least ten weeks. The lack of center-forward options meant that United needed the Frenchman even though he hadn’t exactly lit the globe on fire.
Even though it has been said a million times already, it is still important to say. You are putting yourself up for failure if your first team only has two recognized center-forwards.
The Reds now have a week to locate a suitable replacement for him. They have made it clear that they want to spend as little money as possible this month, so any addition must be a loan signing or a free transfer.
A few of the players who have been linked this month are potentially available for buy or loan at a small cost. But nearly all of them are nearing the conclusion of their professional lives. Consider Karim Benzema as an example. He has been associated with these rumors for the entire time, but they have only recently stopped since he has come out and stated he is staying in Al Ittihad.
Over the past ten years, United has suffered when they have signed big-time long-term contracts with aging players. This method has no benefits.
For instance, Casemiro, whose contract with the Reds still has two years remaining, had a decline in performance this season after having a stellar campaign the previous one. Even though he didn’t deserve to stay at Old Trafford for another year following his rookie year, Edinson Cavani managed to spend two years there.
These errors have marred United’s recent past, and they cannot be repeated. The Reds just must not fall into their same old trap as the panic builds in over the course of the next week while trying to locate a substitute for Martial.