LONDON: It was a bad weekend for Louis van??Gaal. The Manchester United manager will not admit that but a goalless draw as his team failed to break down Newcastle United, followed 24 hours later by Pedro's man-of-the-match performance on his victorious Chelsea debut at West Bromwich Albion, did not look good for the Dutchman.
United insist they pulled the plug on the Pedro deal, which is fair enough - if they then get things right. Lacking a cutting edge against Newcastle reinforced concerns about the strength of United's attack; Pedro scoring and creating against West Brom raised further questions about the decision not to sign him.
The evidence at Old Trafford and then the Hawthorns - admittedly just two games in a season - suggested it really was not a sound call. But United had their reasons, chief of which was that Van??Gaal was unsure about the deal - presumably he wondered whether the player could contribute enough to play for United and whether someone such as Sadio Mane represented better value, being five years younger and Premier League battle-hardened.
United's interest in Mane is genuine but they need to get on with it if they are going to sign the 23-year-old before the transfer window closes next week. If they can persuade Southampton to sell, that is, which looks like a very big if right now.
United probably need more quality. They would like Gareth Bale, they would like Thomas Muller, they would like Neymar. Van Gaal admires Robert Lewandowski.
They may get one of those four or another 'big' name - and the funds are available - but it is extremely unlikely during this transfer window. It would be a huge shock if they persuaded Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona to sell.
However, United have to buy a striker; and a good one with the right presence. Van Gaal says it is unnecessary and goes on to reel off the players available to him: Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, James Wilson, Adnan Januzaj... and Marouane Fellaini. But that does not back up his argument.
Frankly it does not sound like a particularly impressive roster for a club such as United.
"When he is the best striker in the world then, yes, we need him," Van Gaal says, which is all well and good but he also has to be practical. Can he envisage a deal for Neymar being completed before Sept 2?
Van Gaal has solidified the structure of the back end of his team, but at a price. He sold Danny Welbeck, Robin van??Persie and Angel Di Maria and he moved on Radamel Falcao. United lack goals and creativity. "I look at our team and I just don't see the same goal threat. I don't see goals from anywhere," the former United midfielder Paul Scholes said, and he is spot on.
It is extraordinary that, given the expenditure in the last three transfer windows - approaching pounds 250?million by Van??Gaal alone - United are short up front. Rooney, with no goals in 10 matches, needs support, which is why signing someone such as Alexandre Pato could make sense. Bringing in the Brazilian could even be a masterstroke for Van Gaal in the closing days of this transfer window. Talks have taken place, though Chelsea have also been involved, and there is a growing sense that Pato will end up in the Premier League before this window closes.
It is understood that he is available for euros 15?million (pounds 11?million). A deal could be done. It will not be with Sunderland or Stoke City - both of whom have been linked to Pato, who is back in Brazil playing for Sao Paulo on loan from Corinthians, having been involved in a two-year swap with the midfielder Jadson.
There will be surprise that United are considering Pato, given his problems with injuries and that AC Milan let him leave, but that does not present anywhere near the full picture. Coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti have placed Pato alongside Romario and Ronaldo and his goals return has remained impressive since he burst on the scene aged only 16.
Pato is a seasoned Champions League player and scored 63 goals in 150 games for Milan, including 51 in 117 matches, and has continued to score: 30 in 74 for Sao Paulo. His impressive career return is 122 goals in 313 matches. He is also a skilful creator and, significantly, he is now clear of his injury problems.
Pato is still surprisingly young - he turns 26 at the beginning of next month. He is quick and agile, right-footed and can play anywhere across the forward line, so has the flexibility that Van Gaal needs. Pato also wants to return to Europe, would love to play in the Premier League and would be motivated to return to his former heights at a club such as United.
Only two years ago, Pato was close to moving to Paris St-Germain and returned to Brazil largely for personal reasons. He has become something of a forgotten man in Europe but he could fit the bill for United and Van Gaal, who could then let Hernandez join West Ham, and make a significant difference for players such as Rooney.
Sterling looks good value
Raheem Sterling has yet to complete 90 minutes for Manchester City this season - he played 74 minutes at West Brom, 79 minutes against Chelsea and 76 minutes at Everton.
If that would seem to suggest that Sterling is struggling since his pounds 49?million move from Liverpool, then nothing could be further from the truth. He has added a new dimension to City's attack - and, at 20, helped to change the appearance of what looked like an ageing team. The fact that Sterling has been taken off in three games only highlights the awesome array of talent available at City. And Sterling fits right in. "His sharpness and speed hurt teams," Vincent Kompany, the City captain, said. Sterling is looking good value.