Manchester United spent nearly £220million in the summer transfer window - but their best signing might just have cost them nothing.
Christian Eriksen, who was brought in on a free transfer after his contract with Brentford expired in June, has become Erik ten Hag's saviour only six games into his Old Trafford career. That's because Ten Hag and the Red Devils' ever-savvy recruitment team decided to devote a huge chunk of time over the summer months chasing Frenkie de Jong.
The new United manager planned to make De Jong the linchpin of his team, ushering in a total-football era at the club. But there was one issue: he didn't want to come. Despite Ten Hag's efforts to convince him otherwise, the 25-year-old midfielder was intent on staying at Barcelona, who - because of their well-documented financial woes - were even willing to flog him after a £63million deal was agreed between the two clubs.
