Manchester United have endured a slow start to the summer, failing to get any major attacking deals over the line and seeing their approaches for prime-targets fall on deaf earths- all whilst their rivals are completing big moves.

Manchester City have already paid a hefty fee to bring Bernardo Silva in from Monaco and Liverpool have completed a big move of their own by landing Mohamed Salah from Roma, whilst Arsenal are closing-in on a club-record deal for Alexandre Lacazette.

Jose Mourinho’s side have struggled to make similar progress on the transfer market though and it’s clear their plans for the summer were shattered by a failure to secure a deal for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who ended up renewing with the Spanish side.

The Red Devils may have parted with around £31m to bring Swedish defender Victor Lindelof in from Benfica but it’s not the sort of signing to strike fear into the club’s rivals, whilst reports indicate Jose Mourinho is growing increasingly frustrated.

Metro claims Mourinho is fuming at executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward due to the Red Devils’ failures in the market, with Manchester United unable to wrap-up deals for prime-targets like Alvaro Morata and Nemanja Matic.

Both players have been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, and seem like deals that could be completed, but Manchester United have struggled to make any real progress in recent weeks- and time is ticking.

Mourinho’s men are due to fly to North America later this month to commence their hefty pre-season campaign and new signings really need to be secured before this period begins, as they need time to settle into the side and into the Portuguese boss’ tactics.

Manchester United’s main issue comes as clubs are aware of their vast financial strength, which leads to increased prices in the transfer market, but the Red Devils cannot afford to delay any major deals as it’s clear they need significant improvements.

Whilst two trophies were won last season, Manchester United finished sixth in the Premier League and a whopping 24 points behind champions Chelsea- which shows the huge gulf between the Red Devils and the other sides contending for Premier League glory.

At a crucial period for Manchester United, the club need to remain intact and any frustrations from Mourinho could lead to a divide between him and the club’s hierarchy- which will make things very problematic for the rest of the summer and the new season.