There’s no way anyone can say that Manchester United are ready for the season’s business. The expected influx of new players simply didn’t materialise, and that has set off a few alarm bells regarding this global football phenomenon.

Their transfer dealings have shown just how far their stock has fallen in world football, as they amazingly failed to attract the sort of players that would have been queuing up around Old Trafford under Ferguson.

Their biggest mistake was not offloading a number of players who are of low value and will never be able to represent the club in the way it deserves.

Despite their meagre additions, Manchester United have failed to rid themselves of Paul Pogba and replace him with someone full of enterprise, talent and one who possesses a high work ethic. Ole Gunnar Solskjær has his work cut out already, but he did at least manage to jettison Romelu Lukaku, who was as nimble as a party sofa full of inebriates.

As for the reasons pertaining to this embarrassing snub from a host of talent, yes, United are out of the Champions League, but it seems the pull of the northern giant in general isn’t what it used to be. When players are looking for their book of flimsy excuses to avoid transferring across, you know there’s a problem.

The Manchester United of old did their business early and nine times out of ten, whoever they wanted, they got. Not anymore. Ferguson built a fortress that appeared all conquering and all powerful. The players who were approached eagerly signed up for that.

It’s different today. They couldn’t get Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala, Inaki Williams or Bruno Fernandes and ended up with two defensive signings in Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka plus winger Daniel James.

This is the club of Best, Charlton, Law, Cantona, Giggs and Ronaldo. How on earth did it come to this?

That’s a relatively easy question to answer. There was no forward planning, just a hope for the best mantra and a succession of decisions that reduced the club to an average football club playing ordinary football. There are glimpses of style but not often – not like before.

The football world is starting to realise that Manchester United, normally the darlings of the press because of its glittering hospitality, are slowly coming to terms with their downgraded position in the the domestic and global game.

For United fans, this is a new experience. It was a club that never seemed to operate on a budget. Manchester United were beyond all that, but after spending over £700m on assorted misfits, reality has started to bite.

Even a club like United can’t sustain success by money alone and the mess they currently find themselves in is of their own making. Quite honestly, they need to start over as a five year project and rebuild from top to bottom.

Not everyone will survive from the board to the players, and Solskjær has the look of a manager that may have bitten off more than he could ever possibly chew.

After deadline day and no additional arrivals, United fans took to social media to condemn the club’s lack of ambition.

One supporter said:

“Ed Woodward can’t even get the players we don’t want”

“Don’t get me started on Woody ! He is the single biggest reason for the Red Devil’s plight, a clueless suit that doesn’t know the first thing about the needs of the club he’s in charge of.”

READ MORE:

An Open Letter To United’s Record Signing From A Red Devils Faithful With Higher Expectations

Why Either Of Woodward Or Solskjaer Might Just Have To Pay The Price For United’s Transfer Dealings This Summer

Why Either Of Woodward Or Solskjaer Might Just Have To Pay The Price For United’s Transfer Dealings This Summer

The unrest continued on Twitter and Facebook. Most can’t be repeated, but one fan declared:

“Another shocking window!!!!!! Clubs finished!!!‪“‬

‪Dramatic but heartfelt and as the results go against them, the protests will begin regardless of the hefty investment.‬ ‪United fans seem to think success is a divine right.

Keep following Arsedevils for more news and updates on Manchester United.