What's your understanding of what United are looking for, if anything, in these next four hours? Because we seem to want players, but we can't even name who, let alone seemingly being on the cusp of signing anyone.

Yeah, I mean, I was thinking of the best way to explain where Manchester United are at.

And I think the best way is to say, do Manchester United want to add before the deadline? Yes.

Okay.

are they looking at potentially left backs and forwards? Yes.

Do I think, would I be surprised if they don't sign anyone before the deadline? Yes.

But do I also think there's a possibility that they don't sign anyone before the deadline? Unfortunately, that is also a yes, because I think that is where Manchester United are at.

Is there not any way they could look at it and go, look, we were going to spend £60 million next summer on Lewis Hall, but we'll spend it now, and that'll come out of next summer's budget, or is that just not doable?

I know.

And, uh, that's exciting.

But, you know, you talk about positivity, it's interesting, because even when Manchester United were very close to signing Edison, as you mentioned, they, it was actually kind of replied with not pessimism, but a bit like, "Oh, but that's not Elliot Anderson.

That's not Alex Scott.

You know what? Okay, we feel okay about Edison, but we want more than that, right?" So it, it's probably felt, I think the word is underwhelming, you could borderline disappointing, transfer window for Manchester United.

But I do think there are ve- you know, reasons, um, for that.

But when you look at the squad right now, it feels undercooked, but I think you could also say that in terms of the squad depth about a few teams in the Premier League, and that's why I think the next few weeks, teams are playing catch-up because of the World Cup.

Mm.

Mm

... maybe a story like this at, at t'club for a while.

You know, not just Manchester United, but because there's just so many layers here to unpack.

I mean, you know, it, it's really difficult sometimes when I'm talking about Marcus Rashford on this television, for example, because I think you always feel like you're not including all of the context, you know, 'cause we're obviously limited by time.

I mean, this isn't just a Manchester United, uh, kind of issue where they thought, "Okay, we want to offload his wages and, you know, we're not that keen on him because the previous head coaches weren't that interested." You know, Marcus Rashford also, you know, I've not seen many people talk about this, but he also said on those poor occasions kind of last season, especially after the Real Madrid game where he all but won La Liga for Barcelona, you know, he said that, "I'm not a magician, but I'd like to stay here for many years." You know, he, he talked about how he felt, you know, yes, under a previous hierarchy at Manchester United when he spoke to Gary Lineker that, you know, he felt like the club were directionless and they kept making changes.

And look, he, I'm not saying he was wrong, 'cause he made a lot of valid points actually to Gary Lineker, but that also wasn't, you know, from a player who felt like his future was at, you know, his parent club at that stage, right? So look, maybe there was a lot of emotion that he felt, maybe some hurt as well, so you have to give him some, uh, grace in that respect.

But, uh, this goes really deep and, you know, it's not just that, you know, Marcus Rashford, uh, you know, yes, he has scored a lot of goals for Manchester United, but he's also had quite a few spells of not scoring goals for Manchester United predating Ruben Amorim.

Would you be of a different mindset, or where are you standing on it?

Mm.

So they absolutely need a left back.

But I think on Will's point, I, I totally get what you're saying about players they were linked with and, you know, potential targets, et cetera.

And you know, maybe you actually look at this point in the transfer window, would they have hoped to get more in? Potentially.

But I also think there are factors that they couldn't have planned for.

You know, going into the window, they were looking at making over 100 million pounds.

You know, getting back in the Champions League.

Do you think he'll get a wait roundabout?

Mm

...

in Mason Mount, right? And, you know, I, I think we can all agree he hasn't quite fit in that number 10 position.

I know he had some really decent spells under Ruben Amorim at the start of last season before his injury.

I remember that Sunderland game at Old Trafford.

He was very, probably best 45 minutes of his United career, and then he came off with an injury.

Um, I don't think it's a coincidence Michael Carrick played him in that two in midfield in the last few games of last season.

No

Yeah.

And look, he, he doesn't give you that incredible soundbite every week in a news conference.

Of course he doesn't.

But that's also fine.

And this is what people forget is if you're connected to Manchester United, I think as a fan or anyone who works for the club, you don't want a news story every single week.

You know, I think when he's needed to, to back certain players like Amad, who has gone through a bit of a drought with his goals and assists, or, you know, Luke Shaw last week, he spoke about his credentials for England, maybe for the World Cup squad.

He will give them that support and be a bit more front foot in the media.

Do you think that's done now? Do you think that's unlikely? Or do you think there could still be something there?