Manchester United’s recruitment process has begun to look at more than just a player’s current ability.
There are plenty of things to criticise Sir Jim Ratcliffe for, especially more recently regarding his comments on immigration, but it is important to give credit where credit is due. Since he purchased a minority stake in the club, Manchester United’s recruitment process has been much, much better.
Under the sole ownership of the Glazer family, recruitment, and the football side as a whole, weren’t considered a priority as long as United were in the Champions League, but when Ratcliffe entered the ownership group, his immediate priority was to employ football people in football positions. One of his first acts was to dismiss Richard Arnold from his CEO duties for Omar Berrada, who had been COO of the City Group. Immediately, that was an improvement, as Berrada came from a football background unlike Arnold and Ed Woodward before him.
Next came the overhaul of the recruitment staff. John Murtough left his role as Director of Football, and in came Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth – after a lengthy period of gardening leave and a hefty compensation package. While Ashworth didn’t last very long at Old Trafford, Jason Wilcox, who joined at a similar time from Southampton to become Technical Director, took his place, and United’s recruitment has been brilliant.
While Ratcliffe has been an owner, United have signed:
- Leny Yoro (£52.2 million)
- Manuel Ugarte (£40 million)
- Matthijs de Ligt (£38.5 million)
- Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5 million)
- Noussair Mazraoui (£12.8 million)
- Ayden Heaven (£1 million)
Following Dan Ashworth’s sacking:
- Patrick Dorgu (£25 million)
- Matheus Cunha (£62.5 million)
- Bryan Mbeumo (£71 million)
- Benjamin Šeško (£73 million)
- Senne Lammens (£18.1 million)
Several talented youth prospects have also joined the club, but the on-the-pitch talent isn’t the only thing that’s crucial about the names above.
United solve menality problem
In past years, fans have been able to name players wearing the red shirt week-in, week-out who look as if they don’t want to be there, as if they don’t care about a win or a loss, as if they don’t care about their own careers, never mind Manchester United. However, finally, that seems to have come to an end with the INEOS recruitment.
“I remember Bryan as a very kind person, it was very easy to work with him, and he’s very humble. This is for me what makes him very special. Sometimes players with great potential don’t want to be humble, they think they are already very good, but it was the opposite with Bryan,” former Troyes Assistant Manager Gabriel Santos told the MEN.
“That’s also when I always tell some teammates, because you’re at this big club and you have so many good teammates, you also sometimes have to give them the possibility to shine,” Senne Lammens said in a recent interview with Premier League Productions.
It’s not just positivity coming from within, but opposition fans and managers are recognising that United are building a dangerous side.
“They have a great spirit right now, as I mentioned. For me, it was really impressive seeing Matheus Cunha celebrating winning a duel in their own box [vs Everton], because I think this is what Michael Carrick brought into his team,” said Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner before his side’s trip to Old Trafford.
Patrick Dorgu has been praised for his versatility and willingness to move out of his natural position to help the team, Benjamin Šeško famously turned down a move to United before signing for RB Leipzig as he felt he wasn’t ready, and Ayden Heaven has been happy to wait in the wings before grabbing his chances with both hands, only to be put back to the bench again.
There are no reports of unhappiness or unrest. No desire to not give absolutely everything in training and on the pitch.
The players being brought into Old Trafford are having a positive effect on those around them.
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The new United is the old United
For years, under several different managers, it felt like Manchester United were lost, the club that many fell in love with as a child was gone. But now, it’s back, and it’s a lot more similar than some may realise.
Counter-attacking football? Tick. Trusting the youth setup? Absolutely. A willingness to fight for the fans? Definitely.
Yes, United are not back to their best, and it will likely be some years before they even come close, but what Michael Carrick is delivering on the pitch is the closest they have come in years.
Read More: Alan Shearer makes clear Benjamin Šeško claim amid Man Utd form, ‘I was critical…’
Whether Carrick is the man who can guide United all the way back to what they once were under Sir Alex Ferguson is a completely different debate. However, based on the form and several other factors since he’s come in, you’d have to say, he probably deserves to be given the chance to be. And can he do any worse than some more experienced managers before him? Not really.
Ratcliffe’s employments have already done so much good at Old Trafford. Just because Rúben Amorim wasn’t one, doesn’t mean Michael Carrick isn’t either.
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