Harvey Elliott (signed on loan)

[PeterWithesShin]

Given how the playing side of the club is completely built around him I don't believe for one second Unai doesn't give the ok for first team signings.

[eamonn]

Unai wanted Asensio so maybe one of Harv and JDawg were his runner-up prizes.

[aldridgeboy]

I thought he would the best of the summer signings.
Also probably why I’m not an elite manager.

But I didn’t see or hear of him complaining in the news/social media once this season.  So his attitude must be good. Hope he goes on to well somewhere.

Maybe even if we have a better deal option , here.  But I get he probably wouldn’t fancy that now.

[PeterWithesShin]

He's come out of this with far more credit than Villa or Liverpool have. He's been a credit to himself.

[brontebilly]

There might be an element of truth to that, but I do not believe for a second Unai doesn’t sign-off on players we bring in. Once it was clear Rashford wasn’t coming I doubt Unai just threw his hands up and Monchi went rogue. Sancho has been used a fair bit as a lower grade version of Rashford. I suspect Elliott would have had an opportunity had it not been for the remarkable resurgence of Emi B, which meant it not longer made sense to sign Elliott.

Buendia while an attacking player didn't really compete with Elliot. Elliot should really have been competing on the other side with McGinn, Guessand and Sancho or from 10 occasionally. I'm not buying the sliding doors narrative about that Fulham game. Emery was never giving Elliot a chance.