Six weeks before the January transfer window opened for business, Manchester United didn't expect to do anything this month. It's never feet up time when you work in recruitment for one of the world's biggest clubs, but key figures at Old Trafford expected the month to pass without much fanfare.
Part of the reason for that was the absence of any funds to actually do business with. In spending £225million last summer, United went well over the budget set by the Glazer family. Late deals for Casemiro and Antony were pushed through at the behest of Erik ten Hag and while the window has been a success, it was always going to take a long-term toll.
But ambitions for a quiet January are only one unexpected twist away from going up in smoke. John Murtough and his team have the dastardly double act of Piers Morgan and Andy Carroll, with a cameo from Martin Dubravka, to thank for changing their plans. Like I said, sometimes it's the unexpected that can catch you out.
