It’s not a funny old game

Out with the old, in with the… old?
THERE’S a well worn notion that the best example of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over but expecting different results each time.

Well, by the looks of things, that is precisely what’s going on at Old Trafford despite an overhaul of the business management side of the ‘company’.

Throughout this summer, they have made no secret of the fact that Frenkie de Jong is the number one transfer target and as the weeks have gone on and on there has been little, if any movement on the deal.

Apparently a ‘broad agreement’ was reached some time ago, whatever that means, but in recent days, despite being on the brink of bankrupcy, Barcelona President, Joan Laporta has said de Jong isn’t for sale.

United fans shouldn’t really be surprised that there’s no sign of dear Frenkie at Carrington, despite how much new boss, Eric ten Hag wants to be reunited with the midfielder because, as has been the case since Fergie and, perhaps more importantly, David Gill departed Old Trafford, it’s been the same story every summer.

A high-profile target has been identified – remember David Moyes desire to sign Gareth Bale back in 2013 – they have spent the whole summer doing sweet FA and then signed Marouane Fellaini instead.

Each and every summer, under each and every manager since then it’s been the same story, apart from six years ago when Paul Pogba was signed and look how well that worked out.

But it’s remarkable that despite having got shot of Ed Woodword, who deservedly copped most of the fan’s ire, and brought in Richard Arnold and with John Murtagh apparently sorting the transfer business, things haven’t changed at all.

For those of us old enough to remember the glory days under Sir Alex, transfer business was done swiftly and early in the summer so that things were in place and ready for pre-season in order that everyone was on the same hymn sheet come the start of the campaign.

Now, look across the city at, well, erm City, and down the road at Liverpool and those two clubs who are head and shoulders above the rest in England at present and you’ll see two tightly run ships with regards to their dealings.

Both have had their major incomings sorted ages ago and will be hitting the ground running come early August and it’s a worrying thought for the rest of us.

Liverpool may have lost Sadio Mane, but they have brought in Uraguayan forward Darwin Nunez – who slipped through United’s clutches to arrive at Anfield – and while City have lost Raheem Sterling to Chelsea, they have brought in another former United target, Erling Haaland, who Woodward apparently didn’t think worth the relative pittance Borussia Dortmund paid for him several years ago and Kalvin Phillips.

Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, United are still trying to sign de Jong, who apparently isn’t that interested in leaving Barca, who don’t particularly want to sell anyway. On top of that, worryingly, they are being linked with targets who seem to also be on that paradime of mediocrity, Arsenal’s wish list like Lisandro Martínez and Youri Tielemans, as well as two other Ajax players, Anthony and Jurrien Timber, the latter of whom appears to have been talked out of a move by former United boss, current Netherlands chief, Luis van Gaal.

All of that is concerning as is Ronaldo’s decision that enough’s enough and he wants out. It’s worrying in the context that last season’s top scorer no longer wants to be at the club and those goals will be hard to replace, although at 37 years of age and on a rumoured £500,000 a week, he may be short of suitable suitors.

Regardless, it’s not the best start to ten Hag’s tenure – his star striker wants out and the board can’t sign players while those above them in the pecking order get stronger. … It really is a case of out with the old, in with the…old, eh?