On Saturday lunchtime, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggled to hide his mischievous smile after his team’s 3-2 win over Brighton.
It was almost the best day for Manchester United manager, who saw his team win with a penalty conceded after the final whistle.
However, its functionality had been so laborious, his victory so poorly deserved, that it also served as an ideal announcement as to why United desperately wants to strengthen its team before the move-in window closes next Monday.
Sitting in the stands of an empty Amex stadium, United Executive Vice President Ed Woodward may escape the fact that he had to get at least two new signatures.
United remains a painting in progress, but few of these genuine paintings took a position this summer, with Donny van de Beek signing to date.
They are a potentially exciting United team, smart enough to finish in the 4 most sensible and succeed in three semi-finals last season, but two games in the new season is also transparent with obvious weaknesses.
In their first two games, United have already conceded five goals, and it would have been more if the carpentry had stored them in front of Brighton on Saturday.
Last season, United awarded less than one purpose consistent with the Premier League game this season that already ranks at 2. 5 game-consistent purposes.
The desire for a new central defense has never been clearer and more evident.
Last summer, United invested 80 million pounds in Harry Maguire, but still wants a larger spouse to keep him at the center of his defense.
Victor Lindelof has fulfilled his purpose at United and wants to become a central defender with more presence, athletics and pace.
And yet, with seven days to go, it turns out that there is little chance that a new central defender will reach Old Trafford.
Instead, United plans to give Eric Bailly more exits and the up-and-coming Axel Tuanzebe and Teden Mengi.
There is an option for Chris Smalling to return to the first team if a permanent agreement cannot be reached for him to enroll in Rome.
United remains active in the coveted 21-year-old French defender Dayot Upamecano, but is likely to try to point it out this week.
United are more likely to be in their defence with a new left-back as talks with Porto continue over Alex Telles’ signing.
The 27-year-old Brazilian is in the last year of his contract, so United are reluctant to pay the required 18 million pounds through the Portuguese club and lower them to about 12 million pounds.
Jadon Sancho’s saga has rumbled all summer and will nevertheless come to its end next week.
United still hope to point to the point of Borussia Dortmund, with whom they have already agreed on non-public terms, but leave it in the past to make a formal offer.
A be offer is expected to be presented sometime this week, but it will be for the 108 million pounds the German club has ordered throughout the summer.
It remains to be noted whether United can combine a hot enough package that greatly weakens Dortmund’s determination.
But after its troubled start to the season, it would be unthinkable for United to have joined his list when the window closes next Monday night.
I am an experienced sport that, for more than 20 years, has written for more than 80 websites, magazines and newspapers around the world, adding Bleacher Report,
I am an experienced sport that, for more than 20 years, has written for more than 80 websites, magazines and newspapers around the world, adding Bleacher Report, Esquire, The Times and FourFourTwo. I interviewed many of the most sensitive athletes, adding Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, George Best and LeBron James, and covered the Premier League, World Cup final, European Championships, Olympic Games, Champions League and Super Bowl. I have also written several books, including For Club and Country with Gary and Phil Neville and Best XI through Manchester United.