After an unconvincing start to the season, Manchester United supporters witnessed the equally unusual sight of their club frantically scrambling for players in the closing moments of transfer deadline day.
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Their patience was finally rewarded, three hours after the deadline passed, when United confirmed the signing of midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton.
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But for all his rugged qualities and eye for goal, the gangly Belgian with the afro haircut was not quite the stellar acquisition the club's fans had been hoping for, and the details of the transaction made for uncomfortable reading as well.
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Everton revealed that United had paid £27.5 million for the 25-year-old, which was £4 million more than they would have had to part with had they exercised an option in the player's contract that expired at the end of July.
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United had also seen a joint-bid of £28 million for Fellaini and his Everton teammate Leighton Baines rejected in late August, suggesting the English champions were forced into a corner when they returned for the Belgian late on Monday.
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With Uruguayan full-back Guillermo Varela the only other close-season arrival at Old Trafford, it proved a chastening first transfer window for new manager David Moyes and incoming chief executive Ed Woodward.
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United saw tentative approaches for players including Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara knocked back in the early stages of the transfer window, while last-ditch moves for Real Madrid left- back Fabio Coentrao and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera came to nothing.
I don't feel David Moyes took the transfer seriously @ all I must say..United should've bought 'better' players!