After a transfer saga that lasted nearly two years, Manchester United finally have their man after prizing Jadon Sancho away from Borussia Dortmund to mark a return to Manchester, having played in the City for fierce rivals Man City a number of years ago.
Given the deal cost United £73m, many expected Sancho to be the only marquee signing to arrive at Old Trafford this summer, but that idea was immediately quashed after United confirmed a deal had been agreed in principle to sign Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.
The two stars will go some way to closing the cap between United and City, who have won three of the last four Premier League titles, but both Sancho and Varane are unlikely to feature in United's final pre-season game before the upcoming campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side welcome fellow Premier League outfit Everton to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, but the United boss has issued an update over the likelihood of Sancho and striker Edinson Cavani featuring.
"Hopefully they’ll be fit when they come back in with us,” the Norwegian explained to United's official website, "They’re due to come in after the weekend. There are different circumstances as to why they haven’t joined us yet, but it’s a long season and they had to have a little more time off."
Given Sancho won't return to United training until next week, he is unlikely to be fit enough to start their opening league clash at home to Leeds United.
Varane has not yet completed his medical at the club due to visa complications, but is expected to be officially unveiled in the coming days.
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Solskjaer has conceded it has not been ideal preparation for either of his new stars, but is hopeful both will be ready to occupy a place on the bench for match-day one on August 15.
The United boss claimed: "It’s not perfect [the preparation] because I think teams with few players in tournaments do have an advantage early on but we’re as ready as we can be."
He went on to concede Jack Grealish's recent transfer to rivals Man City had inevitably caught his eye, revealing: "Of course you pay attention and you notice that there’s possibly big money being spent somewhere else.
"You have to keep up with the challenges. Anyone who ends up above last year’s champions will be champions."
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