Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Sometimes you just have to laugh.
Renato Sanches, the Benfica wonderkid with the wonder dreads has been reportedly more likely to turn up at Old Trafford next season than James Wilson, Louis Van Gaal or Fred the Red.
Maybe he will turn up at Old Trafford next season, but only if Manchester United manage to qualify for the Champions League and get drawn against Bayern Munich – the new employers of former Benfica wonderkid, Renato Sanches.
DONE DEAL! 18-year-old Renato #Sanches will join from Benfica this summer. Welcome to #FCBayern! pic.twitter.com/r9Xu7vOZOA
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 10, 2016
It is, of course, too early to blame Ed Woodward for this latest failure in the transfer market. Oh wait, seemingly it’s not.
Renato Sanches to Bayern, Ed Woodward 👍🏽 another balls up #mufc
— 🇿🇦 Pablito (@Vuyo_Nova) May 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/DanielMay89/status/729978970423341056
Seriously, what does #EdWoodward have on the Utd owners?? #Sanches #ManchesterUnited #Bayern
— Keyan Milanian (@keybo83) May 10, 2016
Dear Ed Woodward, you're rubbish.
Sincerely, all @ManUtd fans.
Renato Sanchez is a great signing for @FCBayern!— David Flemming (@DavidFlemming01) May 10, 2016
United reportedly scouted the 18-year-old midfielder over 20 times this season and were willing to hand over huge quantities of money, but have once more failed to land their preferred transfer target – with Sanches opting to join perennial Champions League semi-finalists and the runaway winners of next season’s Bundesliga, Bayern Munich.
Anders Herrera (first time round), Thiago Alcantara, Thomas Muller, Pedro, Sergio Ramos, Nicolas Otamendi, Neymar, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo – the list of players Woodward has approached and scared away is getting longer.
He did manage to snag Marouane Fellaini, though.
The €35million capture of Sanches will be considered quite a coup around the Allianz Arena as, being a Jorge Mendes player, it was thought Ed “I’ve got Jorge on speed dial” Woodward would have a head start.
It is quickly becoming apparent however that, when it comes to player deals (as opposed to noodles or tyres), you need to give Woodward an awfully long head start to beat off Bayern Munich, or Chelsea, or Manchester City.