Manchester United was extremely busy on deadline day, issuing 8 official announcements! Details of Sancho's transfer revealed, with five players from the "Five Rats" still remaining.

On September 1st, the summer transfer window deadline day, Manchester United appeared exceptionally busy, especially the media department. Starting from 20:46 when they announced Lindelöf's free transfer to Aston Villa, the Red Devils released 8 official statements continuously until 5 a.m. the next day.

Manchester United first announced the signing of 30-year-old Lindelöf by Villa. His contract with the club expired this summer, so this transfer didn’t really involve the Red Devils financially. However, as a veteran who served the club for nearly 10 years, the club officially disclosed his final destination out of respect.

Next, Manchester United officially announced that 20-year-old forward Eathan Ennis was loaned to Fleetwood Town. Ennis came from Liverpool’s youth academy but chose to join United. His new club’s home ground has a famous name—the Highbury Stadium!

The next player announced by Manchester United was midfielder Zack Bowman, who permanently transferred to Championship side Norwich City for zero transfer fee. However, if he performs well in the future, the Red Devils will be entitled to certain bonuses.

Last season’s Manchester United Best Young Player Harry Arter was loaned to Championship club Sheffield Wednesday. He made his first-team debut last season, but with Amorin signing Patrick Doku and Diego Leon, both left-backs, Arter, touted as the "new Luke Shaw," needs to gain more playing time in the Championship.

Hojlund was the next to say goodbye to Manchester United. He had already gone to Napoli and passed his medical. The Serie A champions paid a €6 million loan fee, and if they qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season, the €44 million buyout clause for the "freight train" becomes mandatory. Given the strength of Serie A teams this season, the 22-year-old Danish striker likely won’t return to the Red Devils, the club he dreamed of playing for since childhood.

All the above transfers were actually confirmed earlier; Manchester United just officially announced them on the last day. The real negotiations on deadline day involved only four matters: Anthony, Sancho, Tyrell Malacia’s potential departures, and the goalkeeper signing—whether to bring in Senna Lamens or Emiliano Martinez.

Then, Manchester United announced Anthony’s permanent transfer to La Liga’s Real Betis. The 25-year-old Brazilian, once valued at €100 million, gave up demanding a €6 million compensation, enabling the €25 million deal to go through. The "compass" flew to Seville, where Betis fans welcomed him at the airport—a happy ending.

Sancho’s deal was closely linked with Martinez’s transfer. Although not a direct swap, United could only afford to sign the 32-year-old Argentine goalkeeper by selling Sancho to free up transfer funds and wage space. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old English winger refused a permanent transfer and was only loaned to Villa, who cover 80% of his wages plus a loan fee and performance-related bonuses. The total sum equals about 20% of Sancho’s wages, roughly £2.5 million.

When Manchester United announced Sancho’s loan to Villa, it was already 4:35 a.m. on September 2nd, more than two hours after the transfer window closed. However, according to the rules, as long as clubs submit their deal lists before the deadline, transfers can still be completed within two hours after the window closes.

Less than half an hour after Sancho’s third loan announcement, Manchester United confirmed the €21 million signing of Belgian goalkeeper Lamens, closing their summer window with a total expenditure of £232.4 million.

On deadline day, Manchester United also informed 20-year-old academy midfielder Kobe Meno that he would not be loaned out as hoped, because the club had already decided not to bring in a new midfielder. There were rumors on social media about a last-minute bid for Brighton’s defensive midfielder Carlos Baleba, but that was just a fabricated story to attract attention.

Manchester United cleared out four of the "Five Rats" in the dressing room. The loan deal for Dutch fullback Tyrell Malacia to newly promoted La Liga side Elche failed at the last moment, as the two clubs couldn’t agree on the buyout clause. The 26-year-old Malacia has only one year left on his contract, and United still hold a priority renewal option for another season.

If Malacia stays at Manchester United, he will have no playing time until January. However, he can still seek a transfer since many leagues’ transfer windows remain open, such as the Turkish Süper Lig (until September 12), Belgian Pro League (until September 8), Greek Super League (until September 12), and Saudi Professional League (until September 11). The Dutch summer window closes only on the morning of September 3rd.

Manchester United’s summer signings: Cunha (Wolves, £62.5 million), Enzo Cane-Bjork (Le Havre, free), Diego Leon (Portno Hill, £7 million), Mbemo (Brentford, £71 million), Sesko (RB Leipzig, £73.7 million), Senna Lamens (Antwerp, £18.2 million);

Departures: Sancho (loan to Villa), Anthony (Betis, £21.7 million), Ganacho (Chelsea, £40 million), Zack Bowman (Norwich), Sam Murray (Carlisle United), Rashford (loan to Barcelona), Hojlund (loan to Napoli), Toby Colier (loan to West Brom), Sony Aljofre (loan to Notts County), Eli Harrison (loan to Shrewsbury), Joe Hugill (loan to Barnet), Louis Jackson (loan to Solihull Moors), Bjork (loan to Lausanne Sport), Dan Gore (loan to Rotherham United), Jack Mulhouse (loan to Leyton Orient), Habib Ogneye (loan to Newport), Radik Vitek (loan to Bristol City), Eathan Whitley (loan to Northampton), Ethan Williams (loan to Falkirk), Ennis (loan to Fleetwood Town), Harry Arter (loan to Sheffield Wednesday).

British media generally believe that Manchester United’s summer signings are decent but overpriced, and the lack of midfield reinforcements is a major flaw. What is your opinion on United’s transfer activity this summer?