Manchester United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, has publicly stated that the club is not aiming to assemble a squad of flashy individuals akin to the Harlem Globetrotters. Instead, the focus is on building a team of selfless, hard-working players under the guidance of head coach Ruben Amorim. This strategy emphasizes character and the right mentality over solely acquiring elite talent.
Wilcox highlighted the importance of bringing in players who want to improve, are team players, and understand what it means to be part of a successful team. He contrasted this approach with the "Galácticos" era of Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain's star-studded forward line of Neymar, Mbappé and Messi, which ultimately underwhelmed despite individual brilliance. He pointed to past failures at Manchester United to get the best out of superstar signings like Ángel Di María, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho.
Speaking on the club's "Inside Carrington" podcast, Wilcox stressed that successful Manchester United teams of the past had functional players who were dedicated to the badge, alongside a few mavericks. He used Eric Cantona as an example, noting that despite his flair, Cantona was also an ultimate professional.
This shift in transfer strategy comes after a "chaotic" 2024 summer transfer window. After deciding to retain Erik ten Hag as head coach, the club brought in Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui. However, Ten Hag was sacked early in the campaign, with Ruben Amorim arriving as his replacement. The recent transfer window was much calmer, with a clear plan in place. Recent arrivals include Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Senne Lammens. Teenage defender Diego Leon also made the move from Cerro Porteno.
Wilcox said he has weekly meetings with the recruitment team and Ruben Amorim to discuss profiles, age brackets and costs of potential signings. The recruitment team then scout players, combining their efforts with the data team. Background checks are conducted to ensure potential signings are "clean-living professionals".
Wilcox praised the impact of recent signings such as Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens, highlighting their smooth transition into the team. He also acknowledged the contributions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and stated that the summer signings from last year are top professionals.
Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Wilcox reiterated the need to invest in new players to drive standards on and off the pitch. He emphasized the importance of buying the right players with the right character to handle the pressure at Old Trafford.
The long-term goals for Manchester United include consistently challenging for Champions League places, winning Champions Leagues, and winning Premier Leagues. The club aims to mark their 150th anniversary in 2028 with the Premier League title.
