Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Liverpool has enlivened the spirits among the Old Trafford faithful once again, after a chaotic transfer window threatened to dampen the mood for the 2015-16 season ahead.
It was indeed a chaotic transfer window for the Red Devils – money burning hole in the pocket while the club struggled to sign all their first choice targets. One could sense, a big money signing was around the corridor, but very few had expected the club to make a deadline day gamble by signing an (relatively) unknown teenager in Anthony Martial.
Bolstering the forward line was Louis van Gaal’s first priority this summer. Having sanctioned the departures of Angel di Maria, Javier Hernandez, Nani and Robin van Persie, the need to sign an attacking-goal-scoring forward was never felt like before.
United were linked with several top forwards across the world ranging from Harry Kane to Gareth Bale, and while the veracity of those reports can be put into question, one thing clearly stood out – the club was ready to dish out money to sign big name established world class players.
According to reports from German magazine Kicker, United were ready to pay €120m for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller, but Pep Guardiola decided not to part with his world class superstar.
Muller would become the world record signing and earn an astronomical €12.5m Euros per year, had the deal gone through.
The 26-year-old has started the new season brightly for Bayern, notching up six goals already for the German Champions in the league.
It’s safe to say that Thomas Muller has had a good start to the season for both club and country. #FCBayern #Germany pic.twitter.com/UHoo9UUtJ3
— bwin (@bwin) September 12, 2015
Manchester United after missing out on Muller (and many others) turned their attention to Anthony Martial instead and signed the 19-year-old French forward for £36m (the fee could rise to £57m) on the transfer deadline day. Martial is an extremely talented player and he became an instant hero at Old Trafford after scoring a superb debut goal against arch rivals Liverpool.
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