Manchester United fans endured their busiest ever deadline day yesterday with plenty of deals happening at Old Trafford, with the majority only being officially announce after the 11pm deadline.
Earlier in the day Manchester United announced that Mexican striker Javier Hernandez had signed on a season-long loan for Real Madrid, with the European champions having the first option to buy Chicharito at the end of the season. Hernandez has taken the No.14 shirt at the Bernabeu after Xabi Alonso signed for Bayern Munich.
Hernandez joined Real Madrid on loan. Rumours were floating all day that Tom Cleverley would also be on his way out with Aston Villa having a bid accepted earlier in the week. That move didn’t happen in the end as Cleverley’s wage demands were reportedly too high for the Midlands club to match. Roberto Martinez was interested in taking the England international to Goodison Park, having worked with him during their time together at Wigan. The clubs couldn’t agree a deal and Cleverley in the end stayed at Manchester United. However, reports this morning state that Cleverley’s move to Aston Villa could be back on after they returned with a very late loan bid to take him to Villa Park. The paperwork was submitted after a deal was agreed between the clubs, however they are waiting for Premier League ratification to see if the deal can be completed.
Danny Welbeck was also the subject of plenty of speculation throughout the day. The England striker was linked with moves to Tottenham, Hull City and Sunderland before he completed a £16M move to Arsenal. Welbeck’s move went beyond the deadline due to Manchester United not wanting to sell to a rival but the deal got over the line and Welbeck has been confirmed as signing a “long term contract” (believed to be five years) at the Emirates Stadium.
Nick Powell and Tom Lawrence also left the club yesterday, both joining Premier League new boys Leicester City. Powell signed on a season-long loan deal without an option to buy, while Tom Lawrence left the club on a permanent deal signing a four-year contract. Manchester United received a £1M fee for the youngster, who was recently called up to Wales’ senior squad for the upcoming international fixtures, and James Ducker of The Times is reporting that the club have got a first option on Lawrence should he do well at the KP Stadium.
Kagawa returned to Dortmund and took the No.7 shirt. Young defender Michael Keane has also been loaned out, joining Premier League side Burnley initially until January.
Shinji Kagawa was another on his way, as his move to Borussia Dortmund was confirmed by both clubs. The Japanese international failed to make an impact at Old Trafford after signing in 2012 and has returned “home” to Dortmund for just over £6M. Kagawa has taken the No.7 shirt at Signal Iduna Park.
It was an exciting day of arrivals at Manchester United too. The long expected transfer of Daley Blind was finally completed after the club agreed a £14M fee with Ajax for the defensive midfielder. Blind played under Louis van Gaal at Ajax and for Holland at the World Cup last summer. The belief is that Blind will take up a midfield role under Van Gaal, although he is also just as capable playing in the left wing-back role or center back if necessary. Manchester United have confirmed that the 24 year-old will wear the No.17 shirt, which was vacated by Nani this summer.
Finally and most exciting of all, Manchester United completed the signing of Radamel Falcao! The Colombian striker is one of the most feared center forwards in world football and joins on a season-long loan deal with the option to buy and the end of the season. Mark Ogden of the Telegraph reports that United could sign Falcao for as little as £35M next summer, which would prove a real coup should the club manage to get back into the Champions League. Falcao will wear the No.9 shirt at Old Trafford, last worn by his ex-Monaco teammate Dimitar Berbatov.
Credit: manutd.com
So after a crazy transfer deadline day, the squad is set now until January. What do you think, is it good enough?