It has emerged that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to recreate three Manchester United signings from the last few seasons amid a change in the club’s transfer policy.
As Manchester United look toward the summer transfer window, there are many holes in Rúben Amorim’s squad that are in dire need of fixing.
Previous reports have stated that the club are looking to see as many as 10 senior players depart Old Trafford this summer, including Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Casemiro in an effort to raise transfer funds.
With their cash, the club reportedly want to sign a new striker, deep midfielder, attacking midfielder, left wing-back, and goalkeeper, with a new centre-back also on the wishlist.
However, with United struggling in the financial department, it’s expected that the club will look for good value-for-money signings rather than bringing in top-level talent for significant fees.
Ratcliffe looking to recreate three United signings
In the last five years, the club’s recruitment has been heavily criticised, with United splashing hefty funds on those such as Mason Mount and Casemiro.
However, with many of the decision makers involved in these deals no longer at the club, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking toward three transfers made in the last five years as a mould for the future.
According to The Athletic, United want to replecate signings such as Bruno Fernandes. Although he signed for a major fee in January 2020, his wage was initially a relatively modest £110,000-a-week, with the player committing to higher salaries once he proved himself as a player worthy of commanding wages in excess of £250,000-a-week.
A second player the club signed and have put on this same model is the “unbelievable” Amad, who was on just shy of £30,000-a-week when he initially signed for the club, and once he proved himself as a valuable asset for the team, he penned a new deal worth a rumoured £120,000-a-week.
Thirdly, Ratcliffe is looking at the signing of Patrick Dorgu as one United should look to secure going forward.
At only 20, Dorgu is a raw talent. Still, he has quickly gelled at United after they drove a hard bargain with Serie A side Lecce, paying around £25 million for the player despite an initial asking price of over £33 million.
Much like the other two mentioned, Dorgu’s initial wage sits at a more modest £40,000-a-week, but should he perform well for the club, The Athletic state the expectation is he will be rewarded in due course.
A shift in United’s transfer policy
The club’s transfer approach has shifted dramatically, with Ratcliffe and his INEOS team now in charge of United’s football operations.
The above article explains that salaries for new signings and those currently at the club will be at the heart of transfer planning ahead of and during the summer.
The club’s executives will attempt to be as restrained as they can on new signings and be determined that those who are paid well at the club can feature for Amorim’s side on a regular basis.
Read More: “Close…” What Luke Shaw has been doing as Manchester United handed fresh injury update
One contract United have right now that sticks out like a sore thumb is that of Luke Shaw. His 2023 contract saw the player commit to a £200,000-a-week, five-year contract with bonuses on top, but he has not started for the club in over a year due to an overwhelming number of injuries.
Shaw’s current wage sits below £200,000-a-week due to the cut following non-qualification for the Champions League, although he did not take as much of a cut as other teammates, who lost around 25 per cent of their wages.
However, with the player’s value only decreasing and his wage a significant drain on club resources, United may find it hard to move him on this summer.
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