Wait, So Manchester United’s Transfer Window Was Actually Pretty Good

9 days after the transfer window had closed, Manchester United’s business started to look like it was actually pretty good again.

There’s no denying that the early acquisitions of Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian, and Bastian Schweinsteiger had left United fans with the satisfied feeling that only a home-cooked meal can provide.

But the craving soon came back. Week after week of prolonged transfer starvation started to torment. Then, after a solid enough start to the season was undercut with a defeat at Swansea, United fans were privy to an end to the transfer window that left them concussed.

Was it good? Was it disastrous? Was it just about right? No-one really knew. All that we did know was that David De Gea was still a Manchester United player. Anthony Martial was a new Manchester United player. And Javier Hernandez and Adnan Januzaj had left.

The International break, that Twilight Zone of a hiatus that can wreak havoc with form and injury, actually came at the perfect time for United. Things calmed down. Wayne Rooney broke a long-standing record. It was announced that Bastian Schweinsteiger had been “stolen” from Bayerm Munich for just £6 million.

And, somehow, at the end of it, David De Gea had signed a contract that meant Manchester United now had an excellent goalkeeper for the forthcoming season. Plus his signature also meant that even if he did leave Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, United would now get the substantial fee his skills deserve, rather than seeing him go for free.

That news generated a healthy buzz ahead of United’s encounter with Liverpool. Sure, there were still worries about United’s central-defence, and United’s scant options up front and on the wings were depressing, but at least there was one thing less to worry about.

But come the end of United’s 3-1 victory there was a newfound belief that, despite the topsy-turvy nature of the window, the squad might actually have a pretty nice balance to it.

As expected, De Gea was a gem, flinging his way in front of shots with the grace of a ballerina. United fans were simple relieved to see him back. But then there was Daley Blind. Not only did he curl his left-shot into the top corner with such aplomb that George Best probably raised his glass in the clouds above, but he showed a sternness and defensive composure that suggests United’s defensive collapse against Swansea was more a blimp than the new norm.

With De Gea now behind them, confidence is only likely to grow amongst Blind, the constantly improving Luke Shaw, already reliable Matteo Darmian, and rejuvenated Chris Smalling.

Plus, with two, maybe even three, out of Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Michael Carrick ahead of them, a strong protective outfit is also there, which can provide the platform to start wave after wave of attacks. It might have taken ten years and three players, but Manchester United finally have replaced Roy Keane.

Meanwhile, with Wayne Rooney out, Maroune Fellaini had the chance to show what he could provide when given a berth up front. And while there’s absolutely no-way that United can consider the Belgian a worthy alternative to England’s record goal-scorer, there was something perversely enjoyable about seeing the fabulously bouffanted goliath wreak havoc.

The least he did was bring in others around him, and while Memphis Depay couldn’t take advantage, the introduction of Ashley Young brought a directness that caused constant problems. Then, Anthony Martial announced his arrival with a goal that means United fans will cut him some slack for quite a few months to come. Heck, maybe even forever.

But where does that leave United this week? Are they the real deal? Nope. They’ve more chance of mounting a sluggish lunge for Champions League glory, the kind where they miraculously beat superior teams by frustrating them before stealing a goal, than genuinely challenging Manchester City for the title.

But the squad structure now appears to be there. Or, at least, it has become clearer. Somewhat quietly, Louis Van Gaal has dispensed of the rafts of deadwood that have cluttered Old Trafford for too long, and instead Depay and Martial point to a more positive future.

Sure, both of them are still years away from reaching the heights they’re capable of, De Gea is probably going to leave in the summer, Blind could be swatted back into averageness against either PSV or Southampton, Schweinsteiger is just a cold away from months on the side-lines, and we have no fit or in-form strikers.

But, after Liverpool, United’s squad suddenly appears to be in much better shape than the end of the transfer window had at first threatened.

Just like before United’s victories against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City last spring, when it looked like things were slipping away from him, LVG has again shown signs that he’s as good as he insists. And that he’s genuinely building something impressive at Old Trafford that could put United in good stead for years to come.

Well, until next week anyway.