Now that the transfer window is closed, many fans will look back on it as a big failure in backing Michael Carrick and catching up to the teams ahead, such as Manchester City and Arsenal.

Manchester United ignored many problem areas this summer. Full-backs, replacing Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot, who are entering their 13th and 8th season as starters; a new striker to help take the goal-scoring load off Benjamin Sesko; and a new winger, such as Iliman Ndiaye, who is now a City player.

A positive, however, is that the Red Devils have seemingly solved their midfield issues. Signing Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Carlos Baleba, three differing profiles that can add something new to the heart of Carrick's United side.

However, many would argue that these three signings were not at the top of United's list and that United failed to sign a single top target all summer, missing out on the likes of Matheus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, and Elliot Anderson. While the newcomers may be good signings, this fact makes it somewhat of a failure still.

Further potential issues also arose from the display on opening weekend against Hull, where Manchester United were embarrassed 2-0. Tielemans and Santos looked sluggish and sloppy in the midfield, starting the season off on a horrific note.

Nevertheless, United responded to this loss with a thumping 5-2 win against Ipswich in gameweek two, restoring hope to the fans. Also, after a terrific and composed display from Tielemans and co, many fans believe that, albeit it is unacceptable, the players were simply not fit for the Hull fixture.

Despite the window being closed, the drama continues around United after new reports of their admiration for a certain talent that has taken the league by storm this season.

According to Rob Dawson of ESPN: "Mamadou Sangare was a player the club monitored closely, with data analysis indicating his numbers for Lens last season were comparable to those of Fernandes at West Ham United.

"Manchester United, though, have struggled with a recent trend of agents preferring to move clients into the Premier League at mid-level clubs. That way, players get more regular minutes before a second, more lucrative move to a top-six side in the future, such as Moises Caicedo's move from Brighton to Chelsea."

Mamadou Sangare started the season with quite a lot of hype and attention around him, especially after becoming Brentford's club-record signing. However, so far he has taken to the league incredibly well.

After a fantastic performance in his first unofficial start for the club in pre-season against Frankfurt, where he scored in a 7-0 thrashing. Sangare continued his form into the Premier League as Brentford destroyed Tottenham Hotspur 3-0, with Sangare being many people's man of the match.

In response to his brilliant performances against Spurs and Leeds United, Sangare has been nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Month award for August.

However, it is the stats and metrics that show how special he is. Last season, he averaged an impressive 14.2 defensive contributions per 90 minutes, putting him above every midfielder in Europe's top five leagues.

He is also in the 96th percentile of defensive midfielders for combined tackles and interceptions per 90, and won possession more than any player in Ligue 1 last season.

Therefore, at a price of just £39 million for a 24-year-old midfielder in today's market, Brentford have done some brilliant business that could become a huge regret for United further down the line.

It is not all doom and gloom for Manchester United, as the signings they have made are all great players who not only fit into the team well, but they fill holes in the squad after the likes of Casemiro leaving and Ugarte underperforming and being injured.

Andrey Santos was very highly rated at Chelsea, with many fans being absolutely furious at the decision to let him go to a rival club, which is only a positive for United fans. A versatile midfielder who can play anywhere in the midfield and would not kick up a fuss if he was not chosen week in, week out, is a great purchase for United.

Many doubted that Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo could work together, with them both being technical players rather than engines; however, against Ipswich, the pair ran the game, showcasing chemistry, composure and incredible passing ability, which helped secure the win.

And finally, Carlos Baleba brings pace, strength, tackling and most importantly, energy to the midfield where it may lack at times.

With these three players all bringing invaluable skills to United, adding to those skills of Mainoo and Mason Mount, who will also feature in the middle, it softens the blow of missing out on a talent like Sangare, just that little bit.