Transfer window taking shape with plenty more twists and turns to come

EVEN if some of the personnel are not Erik ten Hag's most desirable additions and quantity reigns over quality with the squad depth, this is shaping up to be a satisfying transfer window for United.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Supporters should expect the 'bonus' - as described by senior figures at the club of at least one more signing as Harry Maguire is due to relocate to London. Plenty of United fans will regard Maguire's imminent departure as a bonus.

United are not settling for Jonny Evans as Maguire's replacement. Evans, 35, was rusty in his performances against Wrexham and Athletic Bilbao and his return is more in keeping with the sentimentalism of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure.

Evans is viewed wistfully by many United fans as an acolyte of Sir Alex Ferguson and his role in triumphant teams.

He was dismal in four of the last five years of his first spell with the club, culminating in his sale to West Brom in 2015.

United have already invested £179.2million in three signings and Ten Hag was never going to want to stop there. He stressed towards the end of last season the squad depth had to be enhanced and two starters in the second XI's draw with Athletic are unlikely to pull on a United strip again.

Edmond Tapsoba, the Bayer Leverkusen centre half, is admired by United but is said to want a starting role. That could come in time but not with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez currently fit.