There was a time, not so long ago, that Manchester United fans would endure transfer windows the same way they would a groin wax – painfully… But not this summer! – The Red Devils, in comparison with previous years, have been lightening quick to strike deals with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid for Raphael Varane.
Well, according to recent reports, the recent promotions of both Darren Fletcher and John Murtough have played a significant role in the club doing their transfer business a lot quicker than usual.
That’s according to Sunday Times journalist Duncan Castles, who claims both Fletcher and Murtough have helped streamline the club’s backroom processes.
Just days after officially unveiling Sancho as the club’s new winger, the Red Devils announced that they have agreed a fee of around £40m with Real Madrid over the signing of Varane – a shrewd piece of business that is likely to be the envy of all rival fans.
Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, Castles said: “You look at what they’re doing in the transfer market, there is a significant difference this summer in the speed of which they’re operating.
“I think a lot of that comes down to the change in structure at the club, with John Murtough and Darren Fletcher handed roles where they do a lot of the day-to-day work in preparing deals and getting deals in place before final negotiations are done elsewhere and before the Glazers sign off on them.
“They have Jadon Sancho in, already at the club long before the start of the season.
“At the weekend they agreed a fee for Raphael Varane with Real Madrid while Madrid were in Glasgow for a friendly match against Rangers.
“You’ve got maybe two of the most important signings that Solskjaer, in areas he was looking for, in place already. They’re doing those deals quickly.”
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Transfer business has improved this year, although the Euro’s did not help. The transfer market ought to be opened 6 weeks before major competitions and 6 weeks after (bearing in mind a 3 week holiday after the competition finishes).
Next Summer is the World Cup and in 2022 the Euro’s will be back.
As for the Sancho deal, the groundwork was done last year, and a fee agreement could have been sorted and medical arranged before the Euro’s.
Varane has taken longer because he had a holiday after the Euro’s and now because he has to quarantine before his medical.