When the transfer window finally slammed shut a few days ago, Man Utd fans were left deflated having missed out on one of the most exciting young players in the world; Jadon Sancho.
Instead, they got Edinson Cavani who was deemed surplus to requirements by PSG.
Of course, Cavani is no slouch when it comes to scoring goals and has an excellent work ethic.
But after years of poorly executed transfer policies, there is plenty to suggest that Cavani will flop as the likes of Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini all did.
However, it is easy for football fans to sulk and not take the positives from life.
The team are after all in the Champions League this season and should take heart from the way they finished the previous campaign.
That said, this transfer window has been an absolute nightmare for the team.
So here are some football-themed movies that should at least turn a few frowns upside down on Red Devils’ faces.
Mike Bassett: England Manager
Credit: Entertainment Film Distributors
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This classic comedy is basically a look at what the England team would have become if Sam Allardyce had been put at its helm.
The straight-talking Mike Bassett, played by Ricky Tomlinson, poured scorn on the old fashioned mentalities that still persist in the English game.
In the end, Bassett somehow gets his charges to qualify for the World Cup, which should hearten Man Utd fans, showing them that out of a total shambles can still come to some modicum of success.
It’s unclear how many Utd fans would be turning up at Old Trafford these days especially with how the team are playing
The Damned United
Credit: BBC Films
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No, this is not a movie about the current trials and tribulations of the red half of Manchester, but instead covers the turbulent spell that Leeds Utd had when Brian Clough, played by the wonderful Michael Sheen, took over the manager’s position from Don Revie.
Clough’s time at Leeds is one Man Utd fans will certainly be able to relate to, with the manager merry-go-round no doubt about to claim yet another victim in Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
That said, the United board should take heed from The Damned United, especially seeing as after just 44 days Clough was sacked, only to go to Nottingham Forrest where he won not one but two European Championships.
It has taken Leeds some forty years to find a manager who could live up to Clough’s exploits at Forest.
Hopefully, it does not take that long to find the next Alex Ferguson, otherwise, the weekly football predictions websites and pages could make for difficult reading for some time yet.
Which manager do you think could come and do a rescue job at Old Trafford?
Looking for Eric
Credit: Wild Bunch
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No one pulls heartstrings quite like Ken Loach and the prolific director pulled off an unlikely cult hit with this movie.
Looking For Eric sees a lifelong United fan harnesses the power of Eric Cantona to turn his life around.
There are no karate kicks, but there are plenty of heartwarming reminders that in order to really succeed on the pitch, or off it, it always pays to work as a team.
Perhaps Ole should sit his squad down and make them watch Looking for Eric until they get the message.
The Football Factory
Credit: Vertigo Films
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While no amount of street smarts will be able to help the eleven millionaires labouring around Premier League pitches week in and week out, there are few other movies out there that capture the blood and thunder of matchday.
There is no doubt that each of United’s players could do with channelling a bit of Danny Dyer the next time they exit the Old Trafford tunnel.
Bobby Robson: More Than a Manager
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In football, it is rare for one man or woman to be universally loved by the nation, with tribal loyalties often getting in the way.
One player turned manager who somehow managed it, though, was Bobby Robson.
This documentary style movie takes a look at the hardships Robson went through to become as beloved in Barcelona as he was throughout the UK.
There are many lessons Robson’s story can teach future Man Utd managers.
While United fans may not be too excited about what’s to come over the next few months, at least they can sit back and watch a few of these flicks to give them hope and a few laughs here and there.
What do you make of this feature?
Which is your favourite football movies of all time?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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