Manchester United fans are not used to this.

In a sluggish transfer market, it’s the Devils who are making the running.

With Jadon Sancho signed for £73 million, Rafael Varane likely to follow for £50m and perhaps Kieran Trippier as well, the team is looking as if it could be a contender.

Conditioned by David Moyes’ dithering and Ed Woodward’s fumbling, fans have often despaired of the club’s wheeling and dealing since Alex Ferguson left.

Even under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, too many expensive square pegs have come and gone, often to flourish elsewhere.

Angel di Maria, Memphis Depay and Romelu Lukaku to name but three.

So, when United enter the market, it pays not to build hopes too high lest the revolving door comes off its hinges.

But for many, it’s another player who might leave that is likely to make the biggest noise this summer.

And one with whom they are all too familiar.

Yes, we could be in for another saga. Unlikely to interest Netflix, Paul Pogba sagas are like no others.

Written and directed by his agent Mino Raiola, they are guaranteed to be long, tedious and totally predictable.

Whether club or player comes out stronger may be open to debate but we already know that Raiola will come out a lot richer.

Pogba’s contract will run out at the end of next season and he has shown no inclination to renew it.

So, rather than let him go for free, United may decide to sell him now and at least get a fee for him.

It may not be even half the £89m they paid for him in 2016, but at least the money could be spent on a replacement.

And PSG are apparently willing to stump up. Raiola is already working on the choreography.

As ever, opinion is split on the enigma’s enigma.

Many feel this is the moment to finally be free of the mercurial Frenchman whom Fergie jettisoned as a teenage prodigy purely because he sensed trouble from his agent.

Others point to his improved performances last season and feel he is essential if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side really are going to make a serious push for the title.

And both pro and anti-Pogba camps point to his form for France in the Euros: all agree he was brilliant, often turning cameos into something more sustained.

The mystery is why they are only ever fleeting when wearing a red shirt. In time, theses could be written on this most exasperating of players.

But for now, it could be basic accounting and a question of finding a suitable replacement.

Like for like, it cannot be for never has there been such a rich talent so frugally employed.

The anonymous man, Donny van der Beek, has announced he wants to stay and fight for his place.

But the Dutchman is as unlike Pogba as you could find in a midfielder – a lesser talent but prepared to run all day.

Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid has been mentioned but a more suitable and obtainable candidate could be Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich.

The Germany international enhanced his reputation in the Euros and United are believed to have made an offer.

But Germans find it hard to leave the country’s premier club and more realistic could be Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, 23, an understudy to Pogba in the French national side.

More exciting, though, would be another Frenchman, Rennes’ 18-year-old sensation, Eduardo Camavinga.

Rated as one of the most talented teens in world football, he could be the one to make the difference – just as a £12m punt on a gawky Portuguese youngster did in 2003.

Blessed with extraordinary natural talent, Camavinga could be available for around £40m – Pogba’s fee and a mere fraction of the release clause Barcelona have placed on their own great hope for the future, Pedri.

Camavinga would electrify Old Trafford and although it would be ridiculous to say he could be another Ronaldo, you feel he’d be a steal at that price.

Whether Pogba stays or goes, United fans are entitled to think that this squad could be their best since Fergie left.

Varane, Real Madrid’s elegant French centreback who wants to play in the EPL, could be the perfect foil for Harry Maguire while Sancho is a major upgrade on Daniel James.

The tricky winger, who had the most goals and assists combined in the Bundesliga last season, was rarely seen in the Euros, but could make a major impact.

Edinson Cavani won’t be the only Devil smacking his lips at the prospect.

Although United have two superb fullbacks in Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw – a revelation in the Euros – there’s room for Trippier.

Born in nearby Bury, he may fancy a return home and would add a lot of experience and dead-ball menace to the squad.

All in all, United should achieve their target of improving four areas – central defence, right side of midfield, central midfield and full-back.

With their rivals still to make big moves, Devils’ fans will soon have a squad as good as anybody’s in the EPL.

They’d better get used to it.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.