Manchester United were right not to pursue Joao Felix transfer

Manchester United were linked with a whole manner of names during the summer as the transfer window descended into silly season.

It betrayed United's growing desperation to get quality bodies in through the door after it became abundantly clear that they were needed following the two opening defeats. So many players were being linked it was hard to see which ones would eventually arrive at Old Trafford.

With United actually looking to sign Marko Arnatuovic it made any other name tenuously touted hard to dismiss right out of hand, regardless of how ludicrous or far-fetched. It would have been easy for United to give into the chaos, to make tired, old mistakes and spend a lot of money just for the sake of it.

ALSO READ: Man United player Casemiro proved Ten Hag right over McTominay

That's not to say United didn't spend a lot of money. Not in the slightest. The club's spending is now over £1billion since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and an outlay of £216.3million was splashed out in the summer. But at least this time, when it could have been panic stations, United kept their heads and invested smartly.

Following the early season crisis, Erik ten Hag finally gave up on Frenkie de Jong and United at long last signed the defensive midfielder they've been desperately lacking for so long in the vastly experienced Casemiro. £63m for a 30-year-old who has spent the last decade in one of the world's best teams is certainly risky but there aren't many better in his role on the planet.

Though he didn't get De Jong, Ten Hag did at least get his top attacking target in Antony. It was touch and go with Ajax doing all they could to keep hold of the exciting winger but eventually a massive initial £85m was just too good to turn down for a