Man United are determined to make a solid fist of this summer’s transfer window – and the initial signs have been overwhelmingly positive.
Gary Neville wanted to see Manchester United make serious improvements off the pitch.(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Despite only having one signing to show for their efforts so far, Manchester United cannot be knocked for the ambition they have shown at the start of the summer.
After wrapping up the signing of Matheus Cunha on the opening day of the window, United, just over 24 hours later, learnt of Bryan Mbeumo’s interest in a move to Old Trafford.
United made an opening offer for the Cameroonian last week, understood to be worth £55million, but it was knocked back. The Reds are expected to lodge a new and improved offer after maintaining talks with the Londoners.
If United are successful in their efforts, one of the Premier League‘s worst attacks will suddenly look like one of the strongest. Between them, Cunha and Mbeumo scored 35 Premier League goals in 2024/25.
Considering United experienced such a dreadful campaign on the pitch and it was not without its fair share of talking points and changes off it, the way in which they have started the off-season has been impressive. Of course, a lot more work still needs to be done, both in terms of incomings and outgoings, but they have laid some solid foundations.
After Ineos secured a minority stake at the beginning of 2024, they have tried to gradually change the football structure at Old Trafford. It has not been without its teething problems and errors of judgement, but the way in which United have attacked at the start of this summer’s window makes it feel as though everyone knows their roles and responsibilities.
Omar Berrada has brought a wealth of football knowledge and experience to the position of chief executive and Jason Wilcox has now been promoted to the role of director of football after Dan Ashworth’s exit as sporting director last December.
Wilcox, formerly of Manchester City, has taken on most of Ashworth’s responsibilities since his exit. He is now reporting to Berrada.
Add Christopher Vivell, the director of recruitment, into the mix and United have a strong football leadership group. Head coach Ruben Amorim is also a key figure.
Omar Berrada (left) and Ruben Amorim are working closely alongside each other.(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
United, prior to Ineos’ arrival, did not have a modern football structure in place, meaning immense pressure was put on the manager. For all of Ineos’ criticisms, they have improved United’s off-field sporting structure.
Such improvements will have no doubt put a smile on the face of former United captain Gary Neville, who, in 2023, highlighted the importance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe needing to put an off-field structure in place before prioritising recruiting playing staff.
Neville said: “There isn’t a CEO, there isn’t a sporting director and there isn’t a capable head of recruitment. They are the top three jobs in a football club, outside of a manager.
“They are the top three jobs in a football club and then you have got a manager making the fourth, meaning that quartet is very, very strong and tight. If that quartet are very successful, then the team on the pitch will likely be successful.
“The first thing that will be sorted will be people, because there is a lack of those major roles in United that are actually in existence, at this moment in time.”
Ashworth’s appointment and dismissal highlights that United’s attempts to build a competent off-field structure has not been without its faults. But having appointed a well-respected chief executive, a more than able football figure in Wilcox, a recruitment guru in Vivell and a highly sought-after head coach in Amorim, United have filled each of the four positions Neville wanted to see form the nucleus of United’s rebuilding project.