Sometimes people say 'no news is good news'. It is a cliché that is both true and false in relation to the past week at Manchester United after an eight-day period that has rocked the club and its supporters.
Because there has been absolutely no transfer news to speak of in the past week surrounding United. The Jadon Sancho negotiations with Borussia Dortmund remain at an impasse and the search for other targets like Jack Grealish and David Brooks is bearing no fruit.
Yet there has also been a string of bad news connecting to the Old Trafford side, news that the club's PR people could have done without, which has only heightened the sense of frustration and irritation among the fan base. From the Harry Maguire incident, to Paul Pogba's positive coronavirus test, to concerns over whether Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be fit for the start of the new season on September 19th.
It has been a deluge of concern for United, all the while the silence on the transfer front is deafening — especially as Chelsea get busy with some slick business of their own.
What next? Is the big question. How can United recover?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be pondering this, as the issues have piled up over what ought to have been a break for the United boss. He is a huge admirer of Sancho and would love nothing more than a deal to be done as soon as possible. He was the one who backed Maguire as captain and has a close bond with his skipper and key central defender.
The incident surrounding the former Leicester-centre-back will no doubt linger on beyond this week, though it was heartening to hear Maguire voice his thanks for United's support.
"You see a lot of reports going around and it’s such a huge honour to be captain of Manchester United, something I’m really proud of," said Maguire. "It’s a massive privilege to even play for the club, never mind be a captain. Obviously it’s not my decision to make, but one thing I will say is how supportive the club have been from top to bottom, they’ve been great with me and I thank them for that.
“It means everything. Obviously it’s been such a difficult time. My main focus is obviously family but the next best thing closest to my family is football. Playing for Manchester United is something I love and the club has been great with me.”
After lodging an official appeal after his conviction on Tuesday, Maguire is technically a free man again, as his charges have been nullified until a full retrial takes place. That makes Solskjaer and United's position a little easier, and you suspect they will continue to back their captain. MEN Sport understands there are no plans to replace him.
What the Maguire situation may have done, however, is put the transfer situation into perspective for United. The health and safety of their players is far more important than arguing over a few quid with Borussia Dortmund. And how the squad needs a boost right now. Signing Sancho would not just improve Solskjaer's team, it would be a smart PR move right now, giving fans something to cheer about.
The Maguire situation will unfold one way or another. United will, you would hope, recover from it. Maguire insists he is mentally strong and resolute, another reason why Solskjaer likes him and wanted him as captain.
Yet one simple decision could change the tone of this disastrous summer. United need to pay Dortmund an acceptable amount for Sancho, somewhere in the £108million region, to begin the start of their rehabilitation. After everything that has happened in the past eight days, it will be a relatively small price to pay.
