It might feel more like Groundhog Day than deadline day for Manchester United. Having promptly snapped up Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund for a combined £180million outlay, there has been a growing sense of frustration at Old Trafford in the final days of the summer transfer window.
That can be summed up by an impending £34.2m switch close to completion down the road at Anfield. Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch - on the radar for United this month - is due to sign for Liverpool and in doing so will follow international teammate Cody Gakpo in making that same decision.
Had things turned out a bit differently, the double Dutchmen might have, instead, headlined the ongoing Erik ten Hag rebuild. Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN's dedicated Manchester United FC app packed with premium features? Click here . ALSO READ: United working on deal to sign Amrabat Despite holding firm interest in Gakpo last summer, United maintain they were not side-stepped by Gakpo during the January transfer window when he, eventually, touched down in the Premier League for around £37m from PSV Eindhoven.
That he would have been road-blocked by Marcus Rashford is a completely feasible concept. Rashford had the season of his career under Ten Hag and shone brightly on the left-hand flank Gakpo also prefers.