A lot of people would say that the fans are deluded, and to an extent, I would agree with that. We do want things to the point where we believe we are still the United of the past, which also happens to be a time we constantly look back to.
But who could blame us?
Looking at where we were and what we've become, we can be forgiven for the odd foray back in time and for believing that we are still that all powerful club that takes what it wants.
With all that being said, elements of that remain as 'we are Manchester United' seems to be reigning strong even in these dark days.
Many couldn't understand why someone of the quality of Matheus Cunha was happy to join United nor how Bryan Mbeumo has given the green light to a club that Brentford finished five places higher than. Even Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen were (and perhaps still are) two strikers who are open to a move to Old Trafford despite being way too good for us.
Not many teams have that pull and clearly, we are still one of them.
This might be part of the reason why we are deluded and why it appears, the board are as well.
While we do like to walk around like we're a big chief, the reality is that we aren't at least not as big as we would like.
Signing Cunha, potentially Mbeumo, maybe even a Gyokeres does make us feel like a chief but it doesn't mean that we can always get what we want especially when what we want is far-fetched.
This brings me to Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, two players who clearly want out of the club and two players who the manager himself wants to be removed. One of Ruben Amorim's first major decisions when taking over as United boss was to drop these two seemingly undroppable players and not for just any match but for the Manchester Derby of all games.
That story may have been bigger than it was at the time had United not made one of their trademark late comeback wins as had we had lost that game, all the talk would've been about Amorim making a mistake by leaving the two of them out entirely. There would've probably been talk about how that is a reason he shouldn't be the manager even just a month into his reign.
Yet throughout the season and due to the pairs antics off the field in particular, they ended up proving Ruben Amorim RIGHT when he axed them from the matchday squad against Man City.
Part of the manager's reasoning for this decision was down to selection based on training performances and how well they got on with their teammates. He said it wasn't for disciplinary reasons but many saw it as if you don't buck up, you're gone.
This adds more fuel to the delusion.
Rashford wants to join Barcelona. Barcelona also appear to want him. The report says that even though they are on the brink of signing Nico Williams, they would still like to add Rashy to their already strong attack.
However, their preference is a loan rather than to buy him outright, which is what United apparently want. The price the club have set is £40m which is deemed too much for Barca who like United, have their own financial issues. They need to sell to buy as well.
One route that can be taken is a loan-to-buy option. This would allow the Spanish champions to bring him in without having to pay that £40m and is within the realms of La Liga's FFP rules.
If this were to happen, United would then like Barca to cover Rashford's £325k-a-week wage although there has been talk that the player would be willing to take a wage cut in order to make his "dream" move to Barcelona.
Rashford has been dropping several hints that he would like to move to the 5x Champions League winners as he spoke about ex-player and CL winner against United in 2009 Thierry Henry as being his idol although he did state this earlier on his career as well, but also that he would like to work with Lamine Yamal who is one of the best players in the world:
"Yes, for sure. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully...we'll see", Rashford on potentially linking up with Yamal at Barcelona.
Clearly he wants to join them which is fine and that would be a great move for him but for United, we just got to get him out. We shouldn't be haggling over money because we aren't in a position to be demanding things in the transfer market.
Not only are Rashford's high wages a problem and perhaps that that £40m asking price for him is a bit excessive, but also the fact that he hasn't really performed in almost 2 years. His stint at Villa was a positive because we did see some of the Rashford we know but it wasn't super consistent and nor did it last long as he picked up an injury in April that caused him to miss the remainder of the season.
Injuries, attitude and consistent performances are all aspects to take into account.
I get that this isn't necessarily our problem as the club that are looking to sign him have to do their homework and then decide whether they truly want him or not but even still, those factors all play a part in determining a player's potential transfer.
Ruben Amorim also clearly doesn't want him and whether Rashy gets moved on one way or another, as long as the Portuguese is in charge, I doubt we'll see the 27 year old play for United.
I also can't understand the many fans who want the club to keep Rashford and not use him or possibly put him in the reserves so as to spite him.
This is foolish in my opinion because £325k-a-week adds up to £1.3m-a-month which is £15.6m-a-year. We could save that money and use it for other deals and we all know that we have to sell to buy. How are we supposed to do that if we keep a player like Rashford on £15.6m-a-year and not use him?
It makes no sense.
I can understand it gives the player what he wants and people don't want that but we need to be the bigger man as a club. Loan to buy to Barcelona seems to be the best bet for everyone.
I'm sure Amorim wouldn't be happy if Rashford were to stay and potentially join the side on the pre-season tour of which there are reports that this could happen.
And with Garnacho, asking for £70m is ridiculous. As much as I think we'd all love to see him (and Rashford) go for those prices, we have to be realistic as this is never going to happen, at least not after all the issues off the field and the public dispute with the manager.
If all of this had not happened and Garnacho wasn't a knob on social media, then £70m for a 20 year old, always available, full of potential player would be great. In January when there were news that United wanted him for £60m, there was a bit of an outrage as it was seen as too little for a player with his ability and potential.
Now though, we would take that £60m.
We know he has several suitors from Europe (Napoli and Chelsea are the most interested) which is a good thing because it's always great when a player has options but we know that we won't be getting anywhere near that £70m asking price.
Clubs know he wants to leave (he's made that clear enough), clubs know the manager doesn't want him (reports have made that clear enough) and this would mean that they will have the upper hand and that we will have to make do with the best offer.
Of course we don't want to get rinsed on any deal but we also cannot be asking for too much.
Garnacho no doubt has to leave. I think even his staunchest of fans would have to agree especially after that post a couple of days ago. It was immature, childish and all-round unprofessional. He is doing everything he can to get the move he wants.
You could argue that this sort of improper behavior maybe off-putting to suitors but that doesn't seem to be the case, which again, is a positive.
United should know that asking for £70m is too much. I get that you have to test the waters but this is quite excessive. They aren't going to get many bites.
Chelsea believe a price in the region of £55m-£60m is more reasonable although one of the issues for them is finding his best role in the team for the 20 year old which is another reason as to why they haven't been pressing this deal. They instead are going to sign Jamie Gittens from Dortmund according to reports which could cause Garnacho to Chelsea to falter.
There was also the talk about the potential swap for Christopher Nkunku. That deal is so stupid, United might just do it because we are foolish in the transfer market.
Napoli have offered an even lower price for the Argentine as they put up £40m back in January. That was obviously far below United's asking price which is why he ended up staying.
When Garnacho (and even Kobbie Mainoo) were being put up for sale, it was seen as the club needing to sell it's valuable assets in order to raise funds. This truly upset the fan base (including myself) as it pretty much went against who we are as Man Utd. Selling academy products with all the potential is not who we are.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe then came out and said that United won't be selling young players for profit: "No no. We won't be selling players because of the state we are in financially" were the words of the co-owner during a March interview with the BBC.
So at least we weren't going to sell them for the wrong reasons.
Now though, there's been a complete 180 with Garnacho due to his unprofessionalism and poor attitude particularly off the field. Selling him now is the only option.
Final Thoughts
United are known to have a poor reputation in the transfer window given the fact that we overspend on players and don't make much profit from those we sell, if we sell them at all as many players do end up leaving for free. Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen becoming the latest two.
Other clubs aren't so silly so as to be taken for a ride so to speak, by a club who aren't the best when it comes to negotiating. I suppose with INEOS running the football side of things, perhaps that will change but we'll have to wait and see.
How can they expect to do such deals when they have this poor reputation? Beggars can't be choosers.
The club need to get to grips with reality because we cannot be asking for stupid deals in regards to all our players. If clubs are willing to pay these ridiculous prices then great otherwise, be a bit more reasonable.
The longer we take with these deals and potentially others, the longer they will remain at the club and we might have to delay bringing in new signings as we are in a sell-to-buy situation, as we have been for a while.
Just get the best deal possible and move on. We have no time to waste.
Pre-season training starts in 12 days!
Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are two players who want out and two players Ruben Amorim wants out of Man Utd | Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford (22/23): Creator: Naomi Baker | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images via Man Utd News