Whichever way you spin it, United's window represents a modest turnover

ALASTAIR Campbell was in the Old Trafford directors' box on Saturday, so the United communications department had an expert to turn to for some spin on their transfer window.

- By SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Four senior signings and four senior departures is modest turnover for the worst Reds squad in 51 years, a reflection of the Ineos cabal's backing for head coach Ruben Amorim and the business they have hitherto overseen.

Almost every player who was realistically expected to leave has left. Tyrell Malacia has proven to be unsellable, never mind a tough sell. Like one of their 'keepers, United were caught short on the goalkeeper front. They now have more goalies than out-and-out central midfielders.

With the deadline three days away, director of recruitment Christopher Vivell was on the phone at the club's Carrington training complex and could be heard acknowledging that a planned move was viewed as a 'step down' by an unnamed player.

Jadon Sancho held out long enough to secure an unforeseeable move to a Premier League club.