Rare Manchester United transfer move gives Erik ten Hag a big advantage

Manchester United haven't been what you might call a swift mover in the transfer market for quite some time.

To the ever-maddening frustration of supporters, United often take weeks if not months trying to complete transfers and sometimes without even getting the player at the end of it. Over two months elapsed from the club seeing their offer for Frenkie de Jong accepted last summer before they finally gave up the ghost with the midfielder against the move.

It wasn't until July was a signing finally made and then the first through the door was backup left-back Tyrell Malacia, hardly the revolution touted and needed as the window descended into desperation. Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez eventually arrived, though not in time for the pre-season tour, but the opening week of the season soon made it clear they weren't enough.

Erik ten Hag's first games in charge were a defeat to Brighton and a hammering by Brentford and it was the 4-0 embarrassment that finally sprung United into action. De Jong was at last abandoned and in came the desperately-needed defensive midfielder in the shape of Casemiro. Antony would then follow to bolster the attacking ranks.

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With the new additions to the squad, United began to turn results around and though there were still speedbumps on the way, Ten Hag had the club back on the right road again.

While not quite as stressful as last year, the current window began to feel like it was going similarly off the rails. A striker was named as the biggest priority before the window opened and Harry Kane the top target but United soon walked away when it became clear Tottenham were unwilling to sell.

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