The summer transfer window at Manchester United was one of frustration.
Five players came through the door in Ruben Amorim’s first market in charge.
United rebuilt their attack with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko.
Senne Lammens arrived as a goalkeeper, and Diego Leon joined to add depth at left-back.
Yet for all that movement, the midfield still looks light. And the wide areas are thinner than expected.
That is because four wingers departed, including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony.
The most surprising exit was Alejandro Garnacho, who left for Chelsea in a £40m deal.
Those departures left United scrambling towards the end of the summer transfer window.
By the final day of the window, Amorim and the board knew they needed another option out wide.
Reports from Foot Mercato revealed that a late target had been identified in the form of Malick Fofana from Lyon.
The 20-year-old winger in Ligue 1 is one of the brightest young players in European football.
United were even waiting for approval from the player’s father to begin formal discussions, with Jorge Mendes playing a role in negotiations.
But the green light never came. Time ran out, and the deal collapsed before it could gather pace.
The Belgian has already built a reputation as one of the most exciting prospects in the game.
Fofana ended last season with 11 goals and six assists in all competitions.
His impact was felt most in Europe, where he scored six goals in 10 Europa League games, including a standout display against United at Old Trafford.
Fofana has also started the new Ligue 1 campaign brightly, with a goal and an assist in Lyon’s opening three victories.
Unsurprisingly, other top clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest, are keeping a close watch.
Whether Manchester United return in January will depend on circumstances.
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