Although the summer transfer window is only a fortnight old, Manchester United are already being left behind by their nearest challengers.
Ongoing uncertainty surrounding the takeover situation has meant that United manager Erik ten Hag's hopes of adding to his squad quickly this summer have been derailed. The Reds have made absolutely no progress with their search for a world-class striker, are yet to resolve David de Gea's future and are at risk of being taken for a ride by Chelsea and their extortionate demands for a player out-of-contract in a year's time.
To say that the situation currently looks bleak is an understatement. United wanted to attack this summer's window with purpose, in terms of both bringing players in and getting players out. Zidane Iqbal's move to FC Utrecht is the only transfer United's in-house media team has so far had to react to.
The situation, despite almost all of it being dictated by the Glazers' dawdling over selling to the club to Sheikh Jassim or accepting Sir Jim Ratcliffe's offer to secure a majority stake, is not being helped by the activity of other clubs, either. As United are continuing to stutter, others have already taken full advantage of the window being open for business.
READ MORE: Moises Caicedo can give United what Christian Eriksen doesn't
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City have all added statement signings to their squads, each bringing in players who would not have looked out of place at Old Trafford. Chelsea have officially wrapped up the signing of Christopher Nkunku - a player who was once recommended to United by former interim manager Ralf Rangnick - and he will be looking to increase their attacking output.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have swooped from Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion and City, only yesterday, wrapped up the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. Both players would have significantly upgraded United's midfield options.
Neither Liverpool or City dawdled in their decision-making or negotiating; they identified their targets and got the job done. It is never that easy at Old Trafford, perhaps as a result of the so-called 'United tax' that tends to rear its ugly head whenever the Reds want to get a deal done, driving up the asking price.
Regardless of that, however, United are being left behind by the clubs that will have the same ambitions as them in the forthcoming campaign. Both Chelsea and Liverpool will be hoping to mount top-four pushes and you can almost guarantee that both clubs will make further additions in the coming weeks.
But it is not just Chelsea, Liverpool and City that have acted swiftly this summer; Arsenal have also come flying out of the traps, even if they are yet to wrap up a signing. They have tabled a record-breaking £105million offer for Declan Rice, are on the cusp of wrapping up the signing of Kai Havertz for around £65m and are making progress with a deal to sign Ajax defender and former United target Jurrien Timber.
It was not all that long ago that Arsenal were the laughing stock of the Premier League, frequently ridiculed for inadequate transfer business and failing to get into the top four. If they manage to complete the signings of the three aforementioned players they could be the closest bet to challenging City for the title again next season.
You then have Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, two more clubs that will be striving to achieve Champions League qualification in 2023/24. Newcastle will compete in Europe's premier club competition for the first time in two decades next term while Spurs will have a season without any European football.
Newcastle, despite their financial capabilities, are remaining mindful of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, meaning they are taking a sensible approach to this summer's window. Nevertheless, they are advancing with a deal to sign AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali and are being closely linked with highly-rated RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
The prospect of them moving for Szoboszlai is a result of James Maddison's impending move to Tottenham. The Londoners are advancing with a deal to sign the Leicester City ace and he is another player United have been linked with in the past.
Maddison will instantly strengthen Spurs' creativity levels and their attacking output, meaning he will be a signing that earns thumbs up aplenty from Spurs supporters. Despite their recent struggles, they are, at least, now trying to lay the foundations for new head coach Ange Postecoglou to build on.
But as impressive as it is to see the Premier League's big-name clubs trying to get their transfer business done nice and early, it only further highlights the problems United are encountering. The Glazers' dawdling is holding them back and now their main rivals are making the most of it.
