It still may all turn out in Manchester United’s favour if they succeed in completing some top transfers this week.
But it’s difficult to make a case for Ed Woodward et al, given the performance of Pedro on his debut for Chelsea.
The Spaniard broke the deadlock for Chelsea, as Manchester United had failed to do over an entire 90 minutes a day earlier against Newcastle.
He also got an assist and generally showed the sort of pace, composure and end product that was missing from Manchester United’s game on Saturday.
It’s still early days for Pedro of course.
He was man handled off the ball several times and may still struggle with the physical side of the English game, having played for so long in the effectively non-contact Spanish Liga.
But most of the portents are good for Chelsea and it makes you wonder how Manchester United – a team with a desperate need for a right winger – allowed this one to slip when Pedro was there for the taking for so long.
Pedro was excellent on his debut for Chelsea
We may never discover the whole truth on this one.
Either Van Gaal didn’t really want him or Woodward bungled the transfer.
Either way, unless Manchester United pull a rabbit out of the hat in the remaining days of August, then they could well live to regret this one.
CLICK FOR PEDRO’S DEBUT FOR CHELSEA
