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Who are the players Manchester United spent £146 m on this transfer window?

Three high-profile players made their way to Old Trafford this summer!

Who are the players Manchester United spent £146 m on this transfer window?

When a club has a world-class manager at the helm, it is likely to make some world-class signings.

The year 2017, however, was the year football went bananas in terms of transfer fees. And while plenty of deals came to fruition, many others fell through owing to the highly inflated nature of the transfer market.

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For Manchester United fans, their club had done their business well before a certain Brazilian made the ‘silly season’ look downright ridiculous.

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Having said that, United spent almost £150 million, not a small amount by any stretch of the imagination, on just three players in the 2017 summer transfer window.

So, without any ado, here’s the lowdown on the new Red Devils:

Romelu Lukaku

Position: Centre-Forward
Fee: £75 million

For a while, the most expensive transfer of the window and one that very nearly eluded United for Chelsea were said to be leading the race for the 24-year-old’s signature.

However, Mourinho and United (helped by ‘agent’ Paul Pogba) swooped at the last-minute and the early signs have been extremely encouraging.

The 6’3 Lukaku may not be seen as a bargain due to his considerable transfer fee, but there can be no denying that the burly Belgian’s acquisition for £75 million is good value in the current transfer market.

A proven goalscorer at Everton and still relatively young, Lukaku is an ideal signing for the Red Devils. Add to the fact that he’s hit the ground running with three goals in as many games bodes well for his career at Old Trafford.

Barring a penalty miss, the going has been good for Lukaku at United! (Photo: AFP)

Nemanja Matic

Position: Central Midfield
Fee: £40 million

Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles-Alex Ferguson

United’s greatest ever manager had plenty of famous quotes, but none is more apt than the aforementioned one to describe Matic’s signing.

What Chelsea were thinking when they let their midfield enforcer go to a direct rival, nobody knows.

The Serbian, admittedly off-colour for the past two years, had established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League and reportedly was disillusioned with life under the Blues’ current incumbent, Antonio Conte.

Chelsea’s loss was definitely United’s gain and along with Paul Pogba, the 29-year-old Matic looks set to form a formidable partnership in central midfield. His 6’4 frame gives United some much-needed steel in the middle of the pitch but the Serbian isn’t just about breaking up opponents’ attacks for his ability to find a teammate with raking pass from his left boot is often overlooked.

As is the case with Lukaku, early signs are very promising indeed and even if Matic can give the Red Devils three-four seasons of quality service, his transfer will go down as a masterstroke in the years to come.

Matic (R) so far has been impressive as a defensive shield with United yet to concede in the Premier League! (Photo: AFP)

Victor Lindelof

Position: Centre-Back
Fee: £31 million

A relative unknown compared to his fellow summer signing, early signs from the Swedish centre-back haven’t been that promising.

Against Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, the 24-year-old was exposed but it must be said that being bested by a team that have won the Champions League for two years in a row is nothing to be ashamed of.

However, there can be no denying as compared to Lukaku and Matic, Lindelof’s learning curve will be much steeper.

Coming from Portuguese giants Benfica, the 6’2 Swede has his task cut out ahead of him if he is to nail down a spot in Jose Mourinho’s starting XI and it may take a while before he gets acclimatised to the Premier League.

Victor Lindelof
Lindelof has to improve if he is to become Eric Bailly’s partner in the heart of the Red Devils’ defence! (Photo: www.manutd.com)

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