Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Conversation With Nathan Ake In July Sums Up Manchester United's Abysmal Transfer Window

Manchester United's lack of recruitment in defensive areas this summer continues to be a huge talking point after the club conceded 11 goals in their opening three Premier League games.

After shipping six against Jose Mourinho's Tottenham in their last league game at Old Trafford, their decision to not buy a centre-back was a controversial one.

To their credit, the club did bring in experienced full-back Alex Telles from FC Porto in a deal worth £15.4 million.

But the below-par performances of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have come under fire this season and understandably, many believed a pacey defender to partner one of the above was a must in the window.

In fact, at the end of last season, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeared to suggest a left-sided centre-back was on the radar after a post-match conversation with then-Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake emerged online.

United eventually ran out 5-2 winners over The Cherries as they continued their chase for a Champions League spot and after full-time, cameras panned to Solskjaer, who was heard telling Ake: "We need a left footed centre-back, keep going."

Ake, known for his technical ability on the ball as well as his pace, would have arguably been an ideal defensive partner for the likes of Maguire or Lindelof but of course, Manchester City swooped in with a £40m bid.

Ake, who later revealed that he turned down interest from rivals club to join Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, was one of four 'priority' targets United failed to capture in this summer window.

It is believed Solskjaer identified a list of priority targets at the beginning of the transfer window, according to ESPN, with Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and Dayot Upamecano also featuring but of course, none of them were delivered.

United instead brought in Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles, Willy Kambwala and Amad Diallo, as well as Uruguayan youngster Facundo Pellestri.

How do you rate Manchester United's summer transfer window? Should they have brought in another centre-back to strengthen things up defensively?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: Optus Sport

Topics: Football News, Football, Transfers, Premier League, bournemouth

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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