Yorke: Moves can go right to the wire

The ex-Trinidad & Tobago international, currently embarking on his first managerial job with Macarthur FC in Australia, appreciates how difficult it can be to get moves over the line, with constant updates on social media probably exacerbating the situation compared to when he left Aston Villa for Old Trafford.

Alex Ferguson's search for a striker turned to the Villa man and a deal was finally completed ahead of the deadline for him to join a squad that would win the Treble, with Yorke top scoring for the side.

"Luckily enough [the move went through]," Yorke told us recently. "I've been a lucky kind of charm anyway. On deadline day, I am sure no manager wants to go through that but United had to wait right until the end to get it over the line.

"They happened to do that but, if you look at clubs, they tend to like to do business to get the players in early so they can bed them in as quickly as possible. However, that doesn't always happen and there can be a bit of anxiety among fans and the players in the squad. 

"You want everyone to come together, to get that bond as soon as possible, and a manager will want to work with players from a very early stage.

"Mine was a bit dramatic," he admitted. "But I was very much an Englishman. I had been in the country for 10 years so I didn't need to adjust. I just needed to drive a little bit further north from Birmingham to join Manchester United. So the transition, for me, was very easy and very straightforward.

"Being a player in the Premier League, it was just a case of getting up to the pace and familiarising myself with the area. It was a walk in the park, in many respects.

"Having someone like Coley [strike partner Andy Cole] there, as well, ensured the transition was very easy for me."

In terms of United's current squad, with rumours continuing to circulate around the transfer market, and the window not due to end until 1 September, the day the Reds face Leicester City in the Premier League, the talk is only going to increase as the deadline approaches.

"We need a lift and something to happen," said Yorke. "A few players have left the club and getting players in does give the team a lift. Not just the team but the fans around the world. It was good to get Tyrell Malacia in and he's going to be a good addition to the team. We know Christian Eriksen as well [Dwight was talking before the Lisandro Martinez signing was finalised].

"I am sure the United board is working tirelessly to get players in but it's not easy, you know, especially after not being able to qualify for the Champions League. It could always be a stumbling block for one or two players.

"But United are such a big club and such a big draw that it shouldn't bother them too much. Within a year, we should be qualifying back in the Champions League but we do need more signings to give the place that bit of a facelift and to have a good expectation that the squad is ready to compete for the campaign ahead."