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Cape Town - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the fact that the Premier League's transfer deadline closes three weeks earlier than their continental counterparts.
Manchester United have less than a week to finalise their business before their window shuts on the eve of the new season.
European clubs will then have another three weeks in which they can sign players, leaving England’s top-flight susceptible.
Solskjaer feels United and their rivals “have picked the short straw” in voting for such a situation in September 2017.
Despite the restrictions, the Norwegian says United “have been working on a few cases”, including that of Harry Maguire, Paulo Dybala, Bruno Fernandes and Moussa Dembele.
They are even within hours of signing a midfielder. How fancy.
“We’re looking good,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports News. “Of course, we’ve been working on a few cases over the summer. It’s never easy.
“The club has been very good, and the market is very hard.
“We’re trying to get to the start of the season with the squad that we want.”
United have just six days to conclude deals, with the transfer window closing on August 8.
“I think we have picked the short straw, to be fair,” said Solskjaer of the early deadline.
“When our league starts there is still three more weeks that clubs can be hovering around our players.
“I don’t think it is a good one for us, no.”
The manager also stated that Eric Bailly’s injury – and subsequent five-month lay-off – will “not really” change his plans, contrary to recent reports.
“Eric was a big blow for us. He had an operation just before summer, he worked hard and now it’s the other knee.
“It is never nice when you get a bad injury but luckily the surgeon was happy with the repair and he’ll be fine when he comes back.”
