With Romelu Lukaku leaving for Inter, Manchester United’s squad currently looks like this.

There’s also Tathith Chong, Ethan Laird, Angel Gomes and James Garner who could all make the step up from the U23s to the first team.

20 hours left until the transfer window closes.

One of the worst things about United’s summer has been the lack of ruthlessness. In April, Solskjaer spoke of the need to be ruthless in clearing out deadwood, mentioning “tough decisions & “survival of the fittest.”

“We need players who are going to be able to take us forward.”

Instead, it’s been the opposite.

In the time Solskjaer has been coach, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Juan Mata, Ashley Young have all been handed new contracts. Ander Herrera has left on a free to PSG.

Not blaming Solskjaer, but I’m not sure United know how to identify deadwood.

United have spent €159 million this summer, but I’m still not sure the midfield is any better than Wolves’.

Also, why does United need 7 center backs in the first team? 8 if you count poor Matteo Darmian, who’s failed to secure a transfer once again. https://twitter.com/zachlowy/status/1158310093768626177?s=21

United signed three players in areas they’ve desperately needed to address for years: a direct winger (James), a ball-playing center back who’s good in the air (Maguire), and a solid 1v1 RB (Wan-Bissaka).

But they need so much more.

I don’t think United will finish top four, and the way Leicester, Wolves and others have been reinforcing, they run the risk of finishing outside the top six for the first time since 2014. https://twitter.com/zachlowy/status/1158796176113713153?s=21

I understand that United missed out on a wild goose chase for Dybala, and that Eriksen wants to join Real Madrid. That’s still no excuse to not reinforce your midfield.

Tanguy Ndombele Tottenham: £55m

Youri Tielemans Leicester: £40m

Thiago Mendes Lyon: €22m

Amadou Diawara Roma: €21m

Pablo Fornals West Ham: £24m

All of those players were attainable. All of those players would’ve improved Manchester United’s midfield.

What I’m trying to say is, just because your name isn’t in the papers every Sunday, and just because you’re not linked with £70m+ transfers every night, doesn’t mean you’re not good enough for United.

Show some creativity. Go outside the box.

James Maddison was a raw Championship player when he signed for Leicester for £20m in 2018.

Rúben Neves was a benchwarmer for Porto when he signed for Wolves for £15m in 2017.

Idrissa Gana Gueye was part of a relegated Villa side when he signed for Everton for £7.1m in 2016.

I’m not sure what United’s pull is. I’m not sure what their ambition is. I’m not sure what their strategy is.

Did Harry Maguire merely sign for United because he had “United DNA?” Did he offer to rip up his £190,00-a-week deal and solely play for the honor of the badge?

Anyways, the fact of the matter is: United were very weak in the midfield department last season, and they’ve neglected to replace Marouane Fellaini or Ander Herrera.

They’ve also failed to add a playmaker, once again, putting the entire creative workload on Pogba’s shoulders.

United are not only competing against the most dominant Premier League side ever, they’re competing against midtable sides and top six sides whose squads and managers just keep on improving. There’s absolutely zero room for error, and yet Utd keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Solskjaer was brought in under the guise of restoring United DNA and long-lost values to the club. A puppet and a yes man who’d work with what Woodward gives him and wouldn’t start a fuss.

Sad to see, but he isn’t up to the standard of Poch, Nuno, Marco Silva, and Rodgers etc.

I expect United to finish outside of the top four next season; for the fifth time in seven seasons.

I also expect Paul Pogba to leave the club next summer.

Sorry United fans, but if you wanted false hope, overconfidence and misplaced optimism, you came to the wrong place.