What Man Utd’s last four transfer windows tell us to expect this time around in terms of signings

Now the transfer window has officially opened, Manchester United are eagerly awaiting their first summer signing.

But with around two and a half months until deadline day, there is certainly no rush for clubs to conclude their business, no matter how excited and demanding fans will become.

There’s also a real desire among the supporter base for United to make a significant number of transfers this window, with a major squad overhaul required ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

But how many signings will United make and when will they wrap up most of their business? We look at the last four windows to assess both of those questions.

When will signings take place?

In all of the last four summer markets, the Red Devils have made at least one transfer relatively early in the window. Last year, deals were announced for Jadon Sancho and Tom Heaton in the first two days of July, while Donny van de Beek’s arrival was also confirmed well before the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

Daniel James’s move from Swansea City in 2019 was announced on 7 June, while Fred and Diogo Dalot’s transfers were also made public at a similar time the year before.

But there does tend to be a significant gap between initial transfers being made and a second or third deal being confirmed.

In all of the last four windows there has been at least a three-week gap between the first or second signing and second or third.

In each of the last two summer markets, United have confirmed deals in or around transfer deadline day. In 2020, four moves were completed then, as was Cristiano Ronaldo’s switch to Old Trafford last year, although the transfer in principle was announced on 27 August.

So, history tells us to expect at least one deal early on, but not three or four, while the Red Devils could well be active late into the window.

How many transfers will United complete?

Ralf Rangnick claimed earlier in the season that United need around 10 new additions to this squad, but that seems rather unlikely given the club’s recent recruitment history.

The Red Devils have never signed more than five players in the last four windows, all of which have seen three to five new recruits come through the door - a tradition that dates back to Sir Alex Ferguson’s era as manager.

However, United fans will hope the abysmal 2021/22 campaign and the number of players departing the club could mean a change in policy from John Murtough and his recruitment team.

Last four summer windows in full

2021

• Jadon Sancho- 1 July
• Tom Heaton- 2 July
• Raphael Varane- 28 July
• Cristiano Ronaldo- 27 August

2020*

• Donny van de Beek- 2 September
• Amad- 5 October
• Alex Telles- 5 October
• Facundo Pellistri- 5 October
• Edinson Cavani- 5 October

*Transfer window opened on 27 July 2020 due to the late end of the 2019/20 season.

2019

• Daniel James- 7 June
• Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 29 June
• Harry Maguire- 5 August

2018

• Fred- 5 June
• Diogo Dalot- 6 June
• Lee Grant- 3 July