At least I think it's pretty worrying.
The Manchester Evening News has released this report about United's midfield plans and how they might go about potential deals moving forward.
"Numerous other midfield targets under consideration, but if [Mateus] Fernandes gets done, a third signing will depend on the SALE of Manuel Ugarte, and is likely to be more low-key" [TyMarshall_MEN].
Concerning, is it not?
That's how I interpret it 🤷♂️.
There are multiple factors to consider.
Firstly, why are w e dependent on the sale of a player that needs to be moved on? Manuel Ugarte is crap and clearly, Michael Carrick doesn't rate him much as he's hardly given him any game time since he's arrival in January.
Can you blame him?
We should be selling him full stop.
Regardless of whether United actually needed reinforcements in midfield or other areas of the team, and whether we needed the funds or not, Ugarte should be moved on. There are also several others like him whom we call 'deadwood' players.
For me, sales of such players are as important as the right signings because both improve the squad and increase our chances - and more specifically, Carrick's - chances of being successful.
Secondly, when that report says "likely to be more low-key", that is where the real concern comes in.
I read this as Mateus Fernandes is going to be that marquee signing.
I have nothing against the lad. Considering how highly rated he is and the fact that Real Madrid are interested in him, suggests a very good player.
However, even though he can be a future great given that Fernandes is only 21-years-old, a young player like that is a HUGE RISK!
And it's because of this and where we are as a club that we cannot be taking risks especially in such a key position. I personally still see Fernandes in the same tier as Ederson - that third-choice midfielder who should be used as a rotational option. Some might disagree but where I think we can all agree is that no one sees him as that main, marquee midfielder. He is no Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson or Aurelien Tchouameni.
This means that unless Ugarte is sold, then that third midfielder will probably be worse than all of Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Ederson, given that this report says he will be 'low-key.'
Might as well keep Ugarte at this rate.
But low-key gives off the vibe of nothing much has changed at United.
You could even say that it's slightly worse.
Let me explain.
Under the Glazers, yes, we would have heard them say things that they want to be successful and that winning titles is the main goal. But it was never as a standalone, absolute statement like what INEOS have given us:
"Ideally, we do it [win the Premier League] next season, and if not, then the following season. I think we're in a good place", Man Utd CEO Omar Berrada on club's ambitions in the next two years. He said this in his interview with the club at the start of the month.
This is something that has been stated on multiple occasions by INEOS to the point where they've even given it a name - Project 150, in alignment with United's 150th anniversary in 2028.
Two years to win a title is a lot! Not impossible but more like improbable when looking at how the club have operated over the past decade.
You then add this report as well as how long United are taking to do any deals (or outgoings too) and it does feel a little hypocritical.
I don't believe you can say that you want to win the league in the next couple of years but then show a lack of ambition in the market for what is to be MASSIVE upcoming season, one where you're going into it with a new manager (again) and one who is relatively inexperienced and will require as much help as he can get.
We've seen the reports that Spurs have had a first bid for Tonali rejected [David Ornstein]. The Italian is a player that s heavily linked with United.
So why are a side who fought relegation last season and have no European football next season showing more urgency in the market than us?
Surely we hold all the cards?
If so, why aren't we playing them?
I just feel sorry for Carrick more than anyone else.
While I don't think he's that good a coach (yet), I do, however, want him to get players who will give him every chance of being successful as manager.
But such news makes you think that perhaps this will not be the case.
Look, I know that there is still much time left in the window. I get that there's no real need for panic at this moment but it's just the fact that we have so much to do, and that we have such big ambitions for next season, yet are doing very little to actually give us a fighting chance of achieving our goals.
Then when you have the likes of Spurs trying to sign players that you need, it makes things worse.
Spurs of all teams!
Lack of ambition and slow movement in the window is the frustrating part.
Manuel Ugarte holds key for Man Utd's midfield signings | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal