It's probably for the best that Manchester United's deal makers and recruitment experts aren't on social media, given opinions of their work tend to flicker sometime between disparaging and damning.
They say footballers need a thick skin to be on Twitter but that abuse is nothing compared to what United suits have been getting for what has been a quiet transfer window so far.
That window closes five weeks today and we're not into the second half of the summer in terms of transfers. So far there have been no new signing holding up shirts and scarves at Carrington, just a void into which has poured speculation, conjecture and criticism.
United executive are long used to seeing their club's name used by rivals and agents to try and instigate a bidding war. Not so long ago there was a sense they could be talked into a deal as well, chasing star names rather than sensible squad building.
That has changed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and while the summer has been a frustrating one so far United are determined they won't be held to ransom for the players they want. They plan to end the idea of a 'United tax' when they become involved in the bidding and see the idea of haemorrhaging cash on over-priced deals this summer as implausible, given they are still uncertain quite how hard revenues will be hit as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the idea of long-term squad building, of keeping tabs on possible targets throughout the year, and of finding the right time to strike, is being witnessed at its best in United's £40million pursuit of Donny van de Beek.
United have been admirers of the Holland international since his fine performances for Ajax during their run to the 2018/19 Champions League semi-finals.
Since then they've continued to monitor him and his situation in Amsterdam. United and watched and analysed Van de Beek, they've kept a watching brief as he's seemed to be on the verge of a move to Real Madrid, but now they are close to pouncing themselves, and at a fee that has to be considered a bargain.
Real's interest has wavered since COVID-19 struck and while Barcelona have been linked with Van de Beek, they have some more pressing problems to deal with at the moment.
United have sensed this might be the time to strike. Van de Beek wants to leave Ajax this summer and his price is fair, certainly compared to some of the fees being touted around for England internationals.
There might be no desperate need for a player of Van de Beek's qualities in United's midfield right now, given Paul Pogba is staying put and the impact of Bruno Fernandes, but everything else about the deal is in United's favour and he would strengthen the squad.
Discussions of how he fits into that midfield are premature and missing the point. The 23-year-old might not start every week but if they're to compete on four fronts again this season United need depth. The ideal way to find that depth is to recruit good players when they become available.
That is exactly what United are doing with Van de Beek and it's the justification of the approach they've been taking since Solskjaer arrived.
