Manchester United are being left behind by their Premier League rivals in the transfer window

The summer transfer window was just 14 hours old when Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha on June 1.

United triggered the Brazilian's £62.5million release clause and his move to Old Trafford was subject to him obtaining a visa and registration. The deal was officially completed 11 days later.

During that brief waiting period, United also tabled an opening offer for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo after learning he wants to move to Old Trafford this summer. Their opening bid, worth £55m, was swiftly rejected.

United returned with another bid last month, understood to be in excess of £60m, and it appeared as though that would be enough to make the Cameroon international their second summer signing. However, negotiations remain ongoing and supporters are becoming frustrated.

United are treading a fine line between attempting to strengthen the squad and avoid paying over the odds this summer. Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals last summer and Brentford are within their rights to hold out for as high a price as possible.

As much as United want Mbeumo and as much as he wants to move to M16, the Reds must remain mindful that the clock is ticking. The start of their pre-season tour is just a fortnight away and the start of the new Premier League season will be here before you know it.

Having first made contact with Brentford just over five weeks ago, United have got themselves involved in an unwanted saga. They wanted to sign Mbeumo in time for the start of pre-season training and that deadline has been and gone.

With little progress being made on other fronts, United's fast start to the window is becoming a distant memory. Ruben Amorim's side finished 15th in the Premier