The positive is, with the decision made, they can move on. That is in stark contrast to 2022, when then manager Erik ten Hag delayed for months in a fruitless attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong and United ended up panicking at the end of the transfer window and spent £150m on Casemiro and Antony.

Liam Delap has claimed Chelsea's 'hunger and desire' to get back to being the best club in England was among the reasons behind his move to Stamford Bridge. Delap was a wanted man as soon as Ipswich Town's relegation was confirmed as a clause in his contract came into operation, allowing him to leave for £30million.