Deal agreed: Man United set to embarrass Richard Hughes and Liverpool

Deal agreed: Man United set to embarrass Richard Hughes and Liverpool Manchester United are set to embarrass Liverpool and sporting director Richard Hughes. This isn't how things were supposed to go. It’s a massive summer for both Manchester United and Liverpool. But then, it often feels as though every summer is. The two clubs had wildly contrasting seasons, even if they didn’t finish far apart in the Premier League table. Liverpool plummeted from a title-winning season to one where they just about scraped a UEFA Champions League finish. It was a miserable campaign, really, and one that cost Arne Slot his job. United, on the other hand, were coming off the back of a terrible season where they flirted with relegation. Last seasons started poorly, too, which prompted the sacking of Ruben Amorim and the hiring of Michael Carrick. They promptly shot up the table and finished ahead of Liverpool. And that set the scene for the two clubs’ summers. United went into this window wanting to capitalise on their good campaign. They had ideas in mind of where to improve further, particularly in midfield where Casemiro has left a void. Liverpool needed to rebound and essentially fix their enormous spend from last summer. Wingers are the big call, with the Reds failing to replace Luis Diaz and now losing Mohamed Salah. But halfway through the window, sporting director Richard Hughes is not having a good go of it. He has signed a winger, to be fair to him, with Victor Munoz joining from Osasuna. That wasn’t the grand plan, though. Liverpool made a song and dance about Yan Diomande being their priority signing, only for the player to pick Paris Saint-Germain - a situation that embarrassed the Reds and forces them into a plan B that isn’t entirely clear. Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets Open an account and place a qualifying bet of £10 at min odds of 1/5 (1.2) or greater. 18+New UK/ROI customers. Min £5 deposit. Bet Credits available on settlement of qualifying bets, capped at £10 stake. Min odds 1/5 (1.20). Bet Credits expire in 7 days. Excl. Cashed Out/Free Bets/Boosted odds. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org £30 FREE CLAIM NOW 18+Gambling can be addictive — please only bet what you can afford to lose. For free support visit BeGambleAware.org or call 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7). Self-exclude at GAMSTOP.co.uk . AnfieldWatch is not a licensed betting operator. Offers subject to change. Liverpool also haven’t solved their midfield problems, with Curtis Jones looking likely to leave but no clear replacement is lined up. There’s a solid argument that even if Jones were to stay, the squad would still need a midfielder. It also doesn’t appear that Andy Robertson will be replaced, while Liverpool have no reliable right-back. Ibrahima Konate left on a free transfer and again, there is no proper senior replacement outside of 20-year-old Jeremy Jacuquet - who was arriving regardless of whether his compatriot stayed or not. Contrast that to United, who have, per Fabrizio Romano , now triggered Youri Tielemans’ release clause. This after signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and agreeing a deal for Ederson before pulling out. They’ve moved quickly to fix their midfield, signing both youth and experience, and done it very efficiently. We’re still not even sure who Liverpool want as a Salah replacement. Liverpool have gaps in their squad, a new head coach who needs time to work with players, and there’s a month to go before the season starts. Even worse, United appear to be improving and moving well. Things need to change quickly.