Manchester United haven't had the best of times in the transfer window lately and have drawn plenty of criticism.

Eyebrows were raised in even the latest window and United broke the transfer record for a defender to sign Leicester City's Harry Maguire.

Now, Maguire is a fine defender but few would have considered a world-record fee for him at the start of the window.

Making things worse is that Jose Mourinho reportedly wanted him the previous summer for millions less.

The year prior did see United make one big signing, though - Fred.

But Mourinho has admitted that he feared the Brazilian would struggle and only signed him as he didn't think the club would bring in an alternative.

And go back six months prior to that, you've got the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal.

The less said about that one, the better.

In all, United have spent nearly £1 billion since they last won the Premier League and they don't have much to show for it.

But things are set to change thanks to, of all things, Liverpool Football Club.

According to the Daily Mail, who quote a United 'insider', the Red Devils are learning from Liverpool's acquisition of Virgil van Dijk and won't panic buy going forward.

Liverpool famously waited six months before signing Van Dijk, opting not to sign an alternative in order to get the right player for them.

And that's something United want to do going forward - they'll only sign the right players.

The club will also use a new player database called Driblab, something used by many teams in La Liga.

Liverpool are another side known to rely heavily on technology and analysis to sign players and their signing of Philippe Coutinho is used as an example for United.

In truth, there isn't a better model to be following right now than Liverpool's - but United won't like that it's come to this.