In a bid to get back to the top (well, the top four at least), Man Utd have looked to change their approach on transfers. So, while there are so many pieces of news and player rumours running around, lets take a look at a few of the things that we know for sure... In previous seasons, they have tried to construct the English equivalent of Real Madrid’s Galacticos, but without the precision and more importantly, without the success. Ole Gunnar Solskjær has this summer decided to try something new in bringing in young, promising British talent, looking to develop them. Looking at bitter rivals and Champions League winners Liverpool, United fans have every right to be envious of Jurgen Klopp’s success in purchasing players often from relegated sides (Wijnaldum, Robertson, Shaqiri) for relatively little money, and mixing them in a few big name squad-completing signings (van Dijk & Alisson). At Old Trafford, however, expensive signings like Pogba, Alexis and Eric Bailly, have failed to hit the mark. So what have United done in this window to fix that? And what is yet to come? Just James The first signing the Red Devils announced was the capture of 21-year-old winger Daniel James from Welsh side Swansea. The Welsh international, who made 33 appearances in his breakout season in the Championship, was snapped up on 12th June for a reported initial £15m fee. Getting the signing out of the way meant that James could go on his holidays without a worry. If you’re thinking of following suit soon by jetting off to an exotic destination, then there are plenty of things that could work you up. However, with Parking at Airports, you won’t have to worry about paying too much for a parking spot when you go on your holidays. The signing of the tricky winger, who has pace in abundance, raises a question mark on how high up the selection order he’ll be, but he’s one of the few players now in the squad who will offer genuine width. Players like Rashford, Martial and the ineffectual Alexis are strikers who can play wide, and players like Lingard work best through the centre. Having that chalk-on-your-boots option will allow United to stretch opposition teams, and James’s speed will allow them to attack at pace. Win-Bissaka One much-rumoured transfer was Man Utd’s capture of the England U21 right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Crystal Palace trainee, also 21 years of age like James, joined United for a reported £50m price tag on the 29th June. Much more expensive than the Welshman, Wan-Bissaka featured in 35 of Palace’s 38 league games last season, becoming a commanding presence in the South London club’s back four. According to stats from the Premier League, he successfully completed 70% of interceptions and helped Palace on their way to 12 clean sheets last term. So what will he add to the team? Well he takes the squad place of Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia, who departed the club this summer after his contract expired. He’ll be competing with the aging Ashley Young and the promising Diogo Dalot for the coveted right back berth, but his price tag will certainly command that Wan-Bissaka will be a regular starter. He’ll add the defensive stability that United have lacked in recent years, as well as being a natural right-back, something United have shunned in recent years in favour of playing former wingers Valencia and Young in defence instead. Expect another season of this: Maybe Maguire? Victor Lindelof took a while to find his feet in the Manchester United setup, but the 24 Swede, who joined last year for a reported £40m from Benfica, did eventually put in a string of solid performances at Old Trafford last season. However, the same can’t be said for the inconsistent Eric Bailly and Manchester’s own ‘Chuckle Brothers’ Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Lindelof needs a solid partner, ideally playing on the left-hand side of defence. Step forward Harry Maguire. The England international, who has played his football for Leicester two years, is 26-years-old, so as a centre half he has his prime years still ahead of him. And United certainly think he’ll be a key component of their backline, and have bidded £70m for him. It has reportedly been turned down, so it’s likely Man Utd will have to pay more than Liverpool did for Virgil van Dijk if they want to land their man, and with Man City apparently circling, United will have to be quick. Longing for Longstaff Now that Rafa Benitez has left Newcastle for a job in China, that paves the way for an exodus of players at St James’ Park, especially if Mike Ashley is unsuccessful in selling the Magpies during this summer’s transfer window. One player who has been strongly linked with a move away is another 21-year-old, this time in the shape of Sean Longstaff, who featured only eight times in the league last season before having a knee ligament injury cut his season short. Longstaff, born in Newcastle, is a lifelong Magpie, but it would be difficult to turn down the lure of Manchester United’s big paycheques and european football, especially if the Ashley shambles on the Tyne continues.