At the end of last season, Ruben Amorim was clear about two transfer priorities for Manchester United.
He demanded a proven goal scorer to tackle the lack of firepower and also wanted a reliable keeper who could be trusted at important moments.
The campaign ended on 25 May, but with just over a month until the new season against Arsenal starts, neither of them has been resolved. The situation is even worse than expected.
No movements in attack
At Attack, United Matheus has brought in Cunha and it is in more detail in Bryan Mbeumo, but Amorim still does not have the profile of Spits he asked for.
He insisted on Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres because he wanted a no. 9 with presence, pedigree and consistency. He was not convinced of a movement for Liam Delap and made it clear that he did not believe that it would sufficiently increase the level of the team.
There is also frustration internally that no attackers have been moved.
Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony are all still attached to the club and that was not the plan. Amorim had now hoped for at least two departure to help reform the front line.
There is a push to make at least one exit happen by the time their American tour starts.
Goalkeepers
In the goal, the situation has taken a new hit.
Andre Onana, who has already lost the confidence of some about the coaching staff last season with irregular versions, is now injured and will probably miss the preseason.
Although there is no personal issue between Amorim and Onana, it is clear that the boss was frustrated by the inability of the goalkeeper to consistently perform the basic.
He wants to build with confidence from behind and that has not been possible.
United was open to offers for Onana in the window, and although there were conversations with intermediaries, no concrete bids have arrived. The camp of Onana announced that he was not actively looking for a movement, and that has complicated things further.
The statistics of André Onana in the Premier League last season Flashcore/Opta by StatesPerform
In the ideal case, Amorim would have replaced him, but if not, the plan was always to get a goalkeeper to compete with Onana. That remains the case.
Sources say that a new signature is in the making and that those who come in must be able to take on Onana.
Czech Stopper Radek Vitek, 21, may appear for United in the preseason, but no one in the club sees him, the current back-up altay Bayindir or emerging academy product Elyh Harrison, 19, as a real challenger for the number one place.
It is understood that there have recently been discussions with the representatives of Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp and also John Victor of Botafogo – showing that the club is bringing down the options. Others are also on the shortlist and the club wants to move soon.
Amorim knows that he needs a boost at both ends of the field if he has to get through the early stages of next season with calmness and clarity.