Manchester United still need to complete their last summer transfer deal

When it comes to the art of selling players, Manchester United still have a lot to learn.

The club, over the past decade or so, has failed time and time again to offload players at the right time and for the right price. It is a continuous theme that has massively contributed to their downfall since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

United, who will resume their Premier League campaign at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon, provided further evidence of their failings during the most recent transfer window. They had offers on the table to offload the likes of Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, two players who are unlikely to earn ample game time under Erik ten Hag this season.

Though United accepted West Ham United's £30million offer for Maguire, the move collapsed after he refused to accept a £6m pay-off to cover what would have been a reduction in wages in the capital. It is understood that he wanted a figure closer to £10m.

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The Reds, however, should have stood firm and done all they could to try and shift the former captain, who is in desperate need of a fresh start elsewhere. It was another prime example of United failing to be ruthless enough when it comes to the task of clearing the decks.

Dean Henderson and Fred were United's headline departures during the summer, not that either of them commanded game-changing fees for the club. The same would have been said for Donny van de Beek had he sealed an exit, either to Real Sociedad, who expressed interest in getting a deal done, or elsewhere.

Van de Beek was one of a cluster of players who United had to try and offload during the summer by any means