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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Man Utd's winners and losers as summer-long Frenkie de Jong transfer chase ends in failure

The transfer window has finally slammed shut on Manchester United, who headed into the summer in desperate need of a reset.

In the wake of a calamitous campaign, Erik ten Hag was appointed as the club's new manager and was tasked with overhauling a squad that limped to a sixth-placed finish the previous year - the worst in their Premier League history.

But how did the Dutchman, and the club, get on? From the tedious and ultimately fruitless pursuit of Frenkie de Jong to a window-high spend, Mirror Football takes a look at the winners and losers at Manchester United now that the window is shut...

Winners

Antony

Antony finally got his move to Manchester United on deadline day (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Just when it looked as though Antony's dream move to Manchester United had been dashed, an agreement was struck with Ajax to bring the versatile forward to Old Trafford.

Nobody will be more relieved than Antony, who had gone on strike to force through his exit from Amsterdam. The Dutch giants were understandably reluctant to lose their prized attacking asset, who notched 22 goal contributions in all competitions last term.

But Antony was finally unveiled as a Manchester United on deadline day in a deal that could rise to a staggering £85.1million.

Casemiro & Fred

Join the debate! What do you think of Man Utd's summer transfer business? Let us know here.

Casemiro should be able to bring the best out of Fred in midfield (REUTERS)

After countless transfer windows, Manchester United finally snapped up the elite defensive midfielder that they have been crying out for in the form of Casemiro.

The multi-time Champions League winner admitted that he was lured away from Real Madrid for a fresh challenge - and that's certainly what he has on his hands at Old Trafford.

The Brazilian enforcer will be rewarded handsomely with a bumper salary by his new club, while his arrival could also see Manchester United finally see the best of the much-maligned Fred, who often stars alongside Casemiro for the Brazil national team.

Marcus Rashford

There has been speculation over Marcus Rashford's long-term future at Old Trafford in recent months after a collapse in form over the past year - but the academy graduate is currently making the most of a fresh start under Ten Hag.

In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Rashford led the line and bagged the crucial winning goal in the 2-1 win over Liverpool that kickstarted United's season last month to cap an electric display against the Red Devils' bitter rivals.

Despite the return of Anthony Martial and the looming presence of Ronaldo, Rashford has managed to retain his starting spot in the subsequent victories over Southampton and Leicester City. Few would have tipped Rashford to be staking a claim for the No 9 role at the start of the season, but that's exactly what he's currently doing.

Losers

Erik ten Hag

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wasted months pursuing a deal for Frenkie de Jong (Getty Images)

Although Ten Hag has been backed in the transfer market, the failure to acquire his primary target, De Jong, is a major blow for the Dutchman.

United stumbled out of the blocks in the opening weeks of the season at around the same time it became apparent that a move for De Jong was no longer realistically on the cards to cap a pretty miserable period for the former Ajax chief.

Ten Hag has come out the other side both on and off the pitch after capturing Casemiro and Antony in recent weeks. But all eyes will be on how the United boss gets on now the window has shut - particularly as Casemiro is a completely different profile to De Jong, who was the No.6 that Ten Hag wasted months chasing.

Harry Maguire

It's hard to think of many Manchester United players who have come out of the summer window with a bleaker outlook than Harry Maguire, who is firmly out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford.

Despite being desperately out of form, Maguire was given a big public vote of confidence by Ten Hag, who declared that United's beleaguered captain would retain the armband, despite speculation to the contrary. However, Maguire's shaky form has carried over into the new campaign, meaning the England ace was culled for last month's crunch clash against Liverpool.

United have looked far more solid with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane at the back and have now won three games on the spin. And being blunt, it's hard to see Maguire dislodging either of them anytime soon.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to source a move away from Manchester United this summer (REUTERS)

Ronaldo was arguably Manchester United's shining light last year during a difficult campaign. But the United talisman quickly went from hero to zero when he went public with his desire to quit Old Trafford for a second time earlier this summer.

Despite constant speculation, a move away has failed to materialise for Ronaldo, who was desperate to join a club that could satisfy his desire to play Champions League football.

The Portuguese superstar will now have to be content with Europa League football - and a spot on the bench if recent weeks are any indication of Ten Hag's long-term plans.

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