For the red side of Manchester, it was a long torrid season dominated by disappointing performances which would go on to end on a grandstand fashion in the long list of “nights to forget” as Manchester United crashed out of the Europa league in a game where Sevilla had little or no touch of the ball. It quickly made nonsense of the fact that the team have been on a good run of form after the restart, haven secured a UCL spot by finishing 3rd; a position that wasn’t deemed achievable 3 months earlier. Although 2019/2020 season promised better offerings to the previous term as united had made shrewd acquisitions in most of the positions that was pleading fortifications with the signings of Maguire, Wan Bissaka & the soul lifting January switch of Bruno Fernandes, Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side closed out the season with no laurels won as they finished as semi finalist in 3 of the 4 competitions an average season in the EPL guarantees a top 6 team. As much as it was disappointing, it gave hope & dreams of a better summer & preparation as fans all over the world saw the template & style of play that the Norwegian’s team orchestrate; high press without the ball & quick breaks when in possession. It was clear to see that proper backing in the summer will elevate the team more, shed it of misfits & imprint the “challengers” tag at Old trafford for the first time since 2013. Of all the acquisitions expected, a right sided winger, a center back & a defensive midfielder were of top priorities as United were guilty of not being able to break ducking teams in & more so, culpable for being sloppy in defense. Champions league qualification was said to be vital in the dreams & aspirations Ed Woodward has for the team come the summer or so we thought, & joy knew no bounds when it was finally secured, thanks to a 1-0 win against Leicester city on the final day of the season. In a window that is & will probably be the longest transfer window world football will ever see, Manchester United have not only failed to bring in needed reinforcements but have also not been able to move on players who no longer serve their purpose in the team. With 3 days to the end of the summer transfer season, one would wonder if there was ever a building template hanging around somewhere in Ed Woodward’s office because it is beginning to appear that fans were sold dreams that were never going to see the light of day & annoyingly so. It’s been a circus at carrington with potential acquisitions getting snapped up by other teams & no grit detected in the completion of the one transfer that has been in the news since April. Although the window slams shut soon, there is still time to remedy the situation & make the team better if the board sits up now. The signs of another torrid season to come cannot be denied as the Champions league draw have also added to the mammoth task the team has to face this term. United will have to face the champions of Ligue 1, a finalist of the last UCL campaign in Paris Saint German. There is also the little matter of a tricky trip to Istanbul to face a resurgent team & as well the giant killers of Germany, RB Leipzig. There are also better teams in the EPL who pose more difficult challenge to whatever the Old trafford side must have faced in the opening day defeat to Crystal Palace at home & the long sweating afternoon endured at the Amex stadium were VAR had to make the points count in Ole’s favor. There’s 3 days left to not make this season as difficult as it appearing to be. Just 3 days!!!
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