It was only last month that John Murtough addressed Manchester United fans on the club's plans for the January transfer window, and already he might need to change them. The United football director has become the face of transfer business at the club in the last year, openly attaching quotes to press releases parading new signings and holding behind-the-scenes meetings with key figures to try and get deals done.
It was also Murtough's job to discuss transfer plans at the latest fans' forum, where he warned that spending would be lower next year and that the focus was on summer business rather than in the mid-season.
The January window typically exposes poorly run clubs, particularly if they head into the month in search of a key player for a starting role.
