The Craziest Transfer Window Ever? 🚨 | The Truth Behind Man United’s £150M Budget

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0:37Morning, morning, morning, guys. This is Real Reacts. We're here live and direct. Look at my eyes, guys. Look at my eyes. I've woke up. I've been writing loads of stuff down, ready to rock and roll. So just get here, try and get here as early as possible to give you guys a little bit of feedback on what I think the transfer window has been. It's been mental, guys. Listen, it weren't as crazy last night and sometimes you get the late night ones that you go, wow, what the hell happened there? But a lot of people have spoken about Man United's transfer window and what have they done? They haven't bought the targets that they wanted.

1:09They've gone and got the second, third, full fifth best choice in the window that they were going out for initially. But I think you need context on these things. And listen, we all have a list and everyone has a hit list. Not everyone can get the number one or two or three on their hit list because transfer windows don't work like that. You're not the only person competing for those signatures. There's other people in the market and they might be in better financial situations than you are. so they can stretch the budget further than you. And so things like that with context you've got to look at.

1:39Man United, there's no doubt in my mind they were in for Anderson, but there was a limit to the price they could pay. Man United just didn't go, oh, we don't want him, we don't fancy him. They couldn't go to a certain number that City obviously could because they couldn't blow their budget. And that word is a key word, I think, in this window when you're talking about Manchester United. Man United, yes, Casemiro's gone. Massive experience in his last year, I thought it was fantastic. Yeah. But it was going to be hard to see him continue that. So he's gone, right? And Man Utd needed numbers in there.

2:08Not just a player, a player. They need numbers in there to cover for the big games. There are more games that they're going to have this season because they're in the Champions League. So you need cover. You need more bodies in there. They've gone and bought two players that are more about potential in this midfield, but still have Premier League experience in Balaba and Andres Santos. Right? Yes, wouldn't have been on probably the top two or three in their list, But, Beléber, you know he's got potential. We've seen that. He was being earmarked as a£100 million player two seasons ago. And that doesn't happen just overnight for nothing.

2:41There's obviously got to have been some football being played in there. Santos has been in every single age group at Brazil. I think he's captained every age group by the first team at Brazil so far. So the kid's got big potential. Man United have bought that. Telemons has come in at a snip£30-something million,£35 million, released called Triggered. Gone and got it. every man and their dog going, wow, what a bargain in today's market to go and get someone like him. Belgium captain, a team that is players of the likes of Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne are playing, and Romelu Lukaku. He's the captain of that team.

3:13He comes in Premier League ready again, right? So you look in the midfield for one player that's gone out, three have come in, all Premier League ready. Two still need a bit more experience, aren't the finished article. One of them is. and you've got Kobe Maynou in there and you've got Bruno Fernandes in there. That's a five in there that you go, I'm actually quite okay with that. Not despondent, not depressed about it at all. I'm looking at it and going, yeah. Considering that we've had to play to a budget. Man City done a midfield rebuild of£300 million in this one window. Man United have done a midfield rebuild of£150 million because they've had to stay in their budget, right?

3:58And that's the main talking point for a lot of the fans. Also the left-back position. Man Utd didn't go in there and buy a left-back. I actually don't think left-back is a position that Man Utd needed to go and buy to start. Luke Shaw can still play in that position. Again, last season he was consistent, yeah? He played the games, which has been the problem for him. I thought he played to a very good level. Yeah, we didn't play that well the last game. It's one game. Who cares? It's one game. He ain't the problem or the reason why Man United aren't where people dream about Man United being. It's a bigger picture than just one position.

4:32So I think people to get stuck up on the left-back position. I think the problem of that position was the backup. Now, Harry Amas hasn't gone in this window, so he's obviously going to be the backup now. But if people were worried about that, then that was the area maybe they should have got invested in if they don't think Harry Amas is good enough. But they've kept him. and Man Utd and I going, OK, he can play left back. Also, Mas Rauwi has covered over there before and so has Dalot. So they've got players in the building that can do that. All right. But yeah, if there was going to be one gripe in that sense, I would have gone, yeah, maybe you could have bought some more cover if you weren't happy with the cover that's there.

5:09And I think Man Utd are looking at it and going, we wanted to get the midfield sewn up because that's an area where we feel that is a massive improvement needed. Now, Harry Maguire, centre-back, the two young lads, Haven and Euro, are in there. Got to get more game time and experience. You've got De Ligt that needs to get fit, yes. But Martinez in there. We saw at the weekend how important he is if he stays fit as well. So I think there's enough covering around the centre-back area that you probably could have gone all in on midfield. So I understand why that's happened. But I think we need a little bit of context as well.

5:41We need context on the fact that Man United didn't spend less because they wanted to. Man United spent less because they couldn't without breaking PSR rules. Like, if they had spent more, they would have broke the rules. And you can't do that. Simple as. That's the fact. And I think that you look at Man United's total spend, it's about£150,£160 million. Obviously, they've gone and bought Baleva, they've gone and bought Uri Tielemans, Santos, Thompson, the Gip. So, yeah, they've gone and spent. But the net spend is£125, something like that,£120-something million, because they sold Hoyland to Napoli.

6:24And they expected to sell a bit more. And I'll get onto that in a minute. But the top spenders are obviously Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal. United are probably about 10th in that list of teams in terms of top spenders. But you look at it and you go, well, what is the reason why? Why is that? and one of the reasons is that Man United have like about I think it's about 400 405 million pound outstanding transfer fee bill they've got to pay back and in the next 12 months 170 million pound plus or something at the circle that that figure yes 170 million of that is due within the next 12 months or around that time so there's a huge amount so that's all on the back of that that's the hangover of like uh Anthony Hoyland um Casemiro Mason Mount um Anana all these players them fees weren't just paid overnight when we bought them they're staggered through the length of the contract that's PSR that's the way it works the fee that you're going to pay you can stagger it through so Man Utd have got bills still to pay so those bills if we were in a Champions League consistently, right?

7:38And if we had been able to sell players and bring money in, we would have been able to supplement them payments. But because we had no transfer fee, big transfer fees other than Highland in this window coming in, right? And because we're not in a Champions League, which amounts to about 70, 80 million pounds a season, right? We don't have that type of money to spend. So therefore, we have to live within a budget that is different from the likes of Chelsea, from the likes of Man City, Liverpool. These guys have been regular in the Champions League and or they're making huge sales back into the market and making loads of money to be able to then go out and deploy money.

8:18I think Chelsea are a great example. Yes, they're not in the Champions League this year. Going to miss out on 70-odd million pounds. Yes, they are, all right? But have you seen the amount of players that they've sold and the value? Enzo Fernandes has gone for 125 million pounds. like these numbers are crazy Nicholas Jackson 50 odd mil Kukurela 50 odd mil Santos 50 odd mil Enzo Fernandes 125 mil like these players Liam De Lape to Nottingham Fries 140 odd mil so they've only spent 70 to 90 million pounds that's my point so they've been big spenders but they've also got loads and loads of money in and so that's why there's got to be context as to why Man United haven't spent.

9:01They've made mistakes in the past, paying over the odds, massive wages on players that has hindered the transfer windows and the budget today. So Man United are doing a cleanup from past bad, bad operation, bad transfers in terms of the value for a lot of these players and the amount that they've paid them. And they're having to do a cleanup now. And listen, and it's difficult to watch and it makes people go, well, why can City pay that money? Why can Chelsea play? Why can Liverpool pay that money? Man United went into this window, no doubt in my mind, going, do you know what? Our plan, we could say, for instance, their budget is because of PSR at the time and they haven't been in the Champions League.

9:45So they've got, I don't know, say it's 100 million to spend for their budget this year in this window. Right, 100 million. But actually, we'll probably get a bit more. we're actually going to go out there because the market, we've got Marcus Rashford, who will probably sell for 25 to 35 mil. We've got Anana. He's going to go in the window. He had a good loan in Turkey. We're going to sell Agate, right? He gets injured, right? So that goes out the window, a fee that we probably could have got for him. We're going to sell Xerxi, fell through on the last day, couldn't even sell him, couldn't even get him on a loan out the window, right?

10:18Right. Hoyland was the only one that went out and we've sold. You look at the likes of Sancho, a free transfer contract just run out. Couldn't sell him. We're not getting any money in or any good value of money in for these players, which is hindering our transfer windows. So I keep saying the word context. You've got to look at context. Right. And you've got to look at that when you're talking about the way Man United have spent economically in this window. and again you compare that to the likes of a Chelsea or Man City yes continuously finishing in Barley's season finishing in the Champions League positions which then gives you circa 70-80 million pounds to be able to spend to add to your budget yeah and the fact that those two teams are really really strong and really good at selling players that money then comes back into your budget right so Man United haven't done that well enough over the years Right man, we've got loads still to come out on this pod but we'll be back shortly after this

11:24Hi, I'm Max Rushton, the host of the Guardian Football Weekly alongside me, Barry Glendening, my co-host Hey Barry Hello Now, although every American found us during the World Cup for the two that didn't, what can they expect? Found us and fell in love with us, Max They can expect three episodes each week of occasionally insightful analysis covering the Premier League, Champions League and beyond. Football Weekly is back. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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12:56They spent big, I think they spent brilliantly well. I think they've strengthened, they've, they looked stronger. They've bought more physicality and a little bit of goal with Solis coming in the winger, who's already looked really, really sharp and really bright and looks a great sign at the price that he came in. I think he came in for about£35 million, which is a snip in today's market. And you've got Esri Konza, top player, top centre-half, reliable, will play many games and will never let him down, I don't think. And Bruno Gomorrah is a fantastic midfielder who I think is a great signing for them in terms of the mix that they needed, the type of player they needed.

13:31I think Bruno is a perfect signing for them. Yes,£85 million, there's not going to be much sell-on value, but I think for the next three to four years, he will be an immense signing for Arsenal and just gives them that extra bit of depth in there as well in that midfield. They didn't have to go crazy in terms of like loads and loads of players, but I think they've been really efficient in the way that they've gone and bought players in this window. There's been a few players go out, obviously Martinelli's gone, Jesus has just gone as well, among a couple of others. But I think in all in all, they've had a fantastic window and I think Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal team will be very quietly pleased with the business that they've done.

14:08And Solis is going to be a winger. I think we're going to have to watch out for this year. I think he's going to do some good stuff and I think he's going to look like a snip and maybe could end up being one of the buyers of the season. Definitely one of the bargains of the season. You look at Chelsea, what they've done. Wow, Chelsea. They spent massive. Morgan Rodgers, 138 million euros, like Lacroix from Palace, the centre-half, big money. There's names on there that some people wouldn't even, I can't even mention more. There's too many to mention, but there's some names on there that some people that follow Chelsea wouldn't even know who they are, where they're from.

14:40Like crazy amount of signings. I think one of their most important signings has been Martinez, the goalkeeper from Villou. They got great signing. The ability to get that one done was, I think, was huge. I think Sanchez hasn't been consistent enough or good enough since he's gone to Chelsea. And a goalkeeper position since probably Courtois left has been an issue. And I think somebody like him, I think he's a fantastic signing as a goalkeeper to come and give him a bit of stability because when I look at Chelsea, I look at their forward line. We spoke about it on Rio Presents yesterday. I think their forward line isn't something you really worry about, even in midfield, even though Enzo Fernandes has gone, which is a huge, huge player.

15:18But they've got so much other players in there. They've got Casado, I think, who's one of the best defensive midfielders in the league. If Lavia can stay fit, I think he'll be an immense player for them. They've got players who can go. They've got Rhys James now going into there, who performs well. But what I would say is that the backline is going to be, I think, their Achilles' heel. If they're looking for success this season, they have to shoot their way to glory because I think they can't rely on the defenders that they have at the moment right now unless Xabi Alonso puts them into a shape and a system that really benefits them and helps them to become a more resolute team defensively.

15:58And until we source that out, I think they'll be great to watch, but will they be a team that contends? I'd find it hard to see that. But there's room for loads of improvement there, and I think they have the manager to do it. I think they've got intelligent players in midfield and up front, even in defensive areas. But defensively, they just need to sharpen up. And that's just not about personnel. That's about the shape, the system to sometimes protect players at times, and I don't think they've found that yet. And they've got a new manager who's trying to get new ideas into the team, so it's understandable.

16:29but Morgan Rodgers obviously the standout signing for them this window and I think he's got he's a phenomenal player great player great signing and I'm really interested to see and excited for them to see how Pedro Morgan Rodgers and the mercurial Cole Palmer perform together and what kind of relationships they strike up over this season now because all young all gifted all talented all can do something different and all match winners great I mean exciting times for Chelsea Liverpool again they went late man because we was all I had mates that were sitting there going oh my god Liverpool ain't gonna spend we're getting left behind oh my days what's going on late doors Bradley Bacola who we thought was going to Arsenal and I'll get into that later as well Arsenal not getting another player that they might have been interested in but Bradley Bacola who's a fantastic, explosive, speedy winger.

17:30Has a high, high ceiling. And I don't think he's got anywhere near his potential yet. And he's gone for£106 million. It will be rising to£123 million with all the add-ons that you can imagine. They've got to win leagues. They've got to win cups. He's probably got to win the Ballon d 'Or to get that number. But he's got a five-year deal. Took the number 29 shirt. The marquee signing for Liverpool this year. And I was looking at it and going, before that, I'm looking at Liverpool and going well yeah they've bought a few players they've bought a couple of centre-backs so they've got Arujo from the Uruguayan centre-back from Barcelona who's an experienced season top player when he's fit I think physically he'll fit the league perfectly I saw the young kid the 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet who they bought from from Rennes 55 million pounds potential 5 million pound add-ons on top of that I think he could end up being like a wonderful sign and he becomes a mainstay in that back line.

18:30Huge presence. Still loads to learn, young, but the potential that I see in him is huge. And then you've got Munoz, who's coming for £35 million. Listen, 22-year-old Spanish ringer. You know, he adds the depth, pace in them wide areas. And that's, you look at, obviously, there's two other players that they've signed as well, but they're not players that you go, who are going to go in and play straight away. So, yeah, they spent big. But at the same time, I think Bacola is a player that you look at and go, can he have a big impact on this team? They've lost Salah this summer. They need more goals.

19:09And I think the pressure is going to be on Bacola now. And Liverpool fans are going to be wanting immediate response, immediate impact. So watch this space. And then you look up Man City, one of the other big spenders in this league. And boy, their midfield rebuild, that is a generational transfer window in terms of amount spent near around 300 million pounds spent in just midfield right 125 on Enzo Fernandez who I think is a great player and you lose Rodri and he's not as good as Rodri not the same player as Rodri but if you're going to say you want someone to to come in and fill that void he would have been on that list somewhere in your top five players, I'm sure.

19:50He can control a game. I saw him for Argentina against England in the summer and other games. Top. He was top. And the way that City play or the way they play to get under Pep, he would fit in. And there's probably going to be some similarities with the way Maresco wants to set up. So I see him doing well there. Elliot Anderson, we spoke about before,£116 million, guys. And the young prince, the young guy who's got potential of the highest level, Buadi. Now, he's young, so we have to wait and give him a bit of time, but he signs for£81 million. So that midfield rebuild is like, wow. They ain't messed about.

20:30They've gone into the market and just smashed it about. And you look at the others they brought in there, Ndi, who I think is huge talent as well, who's going to come in and create great competition, spend£60-65 million on him. He's going to at real competition in the wide areas and real quality as well. Street player, but he's starting to find his feet and become a really, really, really good player. But they've had a window where you go, wow, these guys have not played games. They've gone and wanted to do a midfield rebuild and they've done it at the top end of the market. But listen, get in the comments, guys.

21:01Let us know who you think's had the best window. Who's the best sign of their transfer window? I'm going to go for... Who's what I'm going to go for? from what I've seen so far Solis, Arsenal winger for the price you got him for 35 mil from what I've seen jinky little winger great vision making good decisions in the final third a great I think great bit of business done by the recruitment team at Arsenal I'm going to go for him I'm going to go early I'm going to go out on that I'm going to say he's going to be my sign of the season as in terms of value and in terms of what he does get in the comments let us know who you think guys best signing worst signing Biggest miss.

21:41I mean, look at Arsenal. We were sitting there, Arsenal, whose fans are mad anyway and delusional at times, but well done. Shout out to the Arsenal fans. Well done winning the Premier League last year. But they thought they were getting Vinny. They thought they were getting Vinicius Junior. It was never happening. I'm sure Vinicius' team, they were using Arsenal to go and get a bigger deal. That's what I think, personally. We've seen it done to many clubs over the years. Man Utd have had it done to them by players at Bayern Munich for many years. This is just another case of that. Another saga blowing up in the media to go and get a better deal and stay where he wants to stay and he never wanted to leave anyway and he's staying at Arsenal.

22:18I mean, at Real Madrid. Vinicius Jr. didn't go there. Arsenal fans have had a bit of a funny window. I think they've had a great window, as I said at the beginning of this, but they thought they were getting Vinicius. They thought they were getting Morgan Rodgers. They thought they were getting... Who else do they think they were getting? Bacola. And they've got Solis. And that's not a diss, guys. Just take that. Remember that. That's not a diss because I've just put him down as my signing of the season in this transfer window. So you might have actually got away of it and gone and got somebody with less pressure, less scrutiny, less eyeballs, but might be able to give you huge output.

22:51So maybe you thank the lucky stars you didn't get one of those guys that he was in for. But anyway, I look at it and go, Arsenal are going to win the league. Don't think anyone's going to get close to them. I think Chelsea have got too much to do with a new manager, getting new players to fit in. City have had massive overhaul. They've lost arguably two of the most important people at any football club. Pep Guardiola, the manager, and Rodri, who makes any and every team in this generation a better team and a chance to win. So are they going to be able to recover from that? The proof will be in the pudding.

23:27And Man Utd are too far away. Liverpool, I think, are too far away as well. new manager. I don't think they're going to be able to run consistently close enough to Arsenal at the level that they're playing at. So Arsenal are going to win it. I do think Chelsea are dangerous because they've got attacking players who can open anything up and they can score against anybody. But the key for them will be can they find a solution to leaking goals? That will be the big question for Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff. But Man United's window due to the restraints in terms of budget, I'm going to give it a good solid 6.5, 7 out of 10.

24:08And I want you guys to get in the comments. Let me know what you think. Hit the like, hit the subscribe button, turn your notifications on, and I'll catch you guys on the next Rio Reacts. Do not miss it. Stay tuned. Get in the comments. I'm all over them. I'm looking. I'm waiting to respond to any of you. Take care and enjoy it. Good luck to all your teams out there. Most importantly, good luck to Manchester United. Take care, guys. Thanks.

24:41We'll be right back.

25:02ever can you provide some astute analysis I think Arsenal are going to win the Premier League and there you are for more hot takes like that watch or listen to Football Weekly wherever you get your podcasts