Get the latest United transfer window updates, news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox every day for free One of the more predictable descriptions of Manchester United's negotiations to sign Raphael Varane are that they are 'pretty slow'.
Three years ago, there was roughly a month-long wait for United to conclude deals for each of their three signings. By the time they had acquired Harry Maguire, they had run out of time and were without a midfielder and a centre forward.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had promised, "If we sell players we will have to replace them" yet Romelu Lukaku was not replaced. United lost three of their first eight Premier League fixtures and had four wins from the first 14 come December.
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