Manchester United have completed a new signing that confirms the strategy seen repeatedly under new INEOS ownership.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in Manchester United, there has been a change in the transfer strategy at the club to help save money and spend less recklessly. This has been implemented through a change in a number of staff and investment into plans of a new stadium.
A focus on signing youthful players who can develop into starting players has been clear. United signed teenagers, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, early on into the INEOS era who have both grown into starting defenders.
Since Rúben Amorim’s appointment United have signed five players to the first team, with the oldest players being twenty six year olds Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha who have been playing at the top English level for years now.
The signings of Diego Leon and Chido Obi have also shown a development in the United academy, something that is key to the United core values and has needed to be revived in the new United era.
United sign ‘highly-rated’ keeper Hardy from Derby
United have completed the signing of sixteen year old goalkeeper, Charlie Hardy, from Derby County as reported by @mufcacademy91 on X. United have signed him on scholarship terms and he will be eligible to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 next July.
Charlie Hardy is ‘considered one of the best young goalkeepers in his age group.’ and has made appearances for the England Under 16s and Derby County Under 18s. This talent is highly valued to United who have struggled to find a consistent keeper over the last few seasons and do not want to repeat this crisis.
The signing of players like Hardy is a reoccurring pattern in the transfer strategy seen so far by INEOS, signing exciting young talents and giving them room to grow and develop into future starting players. This also helps to boost the success of the academy teams with new arrivals pushing them forward.
By signing young players INEOS also save money on wages and transfer fees when compared to senior players. Academy players are far easier and cheaper to sign and are more likely to value game time and experience than money.
The future of United keepers and concerns over Amorims faith in the youth
This signing gives United a solid keeper hierarchy for the future with Senne Lammens, Altay Bayindir and Radek Vitek all being young keepers fighting for the starting position. Vitek is currently on loan at Bristol City along with Elyh Harrison at Shrewsbury town so the in competition for the future starting spot is ongoing.
Andre Onana is increasingly likely to leave the club on a permanent deal in the summer when he returns from his loan at Trabzonspor in Turkey following a disappointing United career and being dropped from the Cameroon National team.
Read More: Rúben Amorim backtracks on Shea Lacey claim after substitution choice against West Ham
Amorim now needs to value the exciting young players. Eighteen year old forward, Shea Lacey, has been seen on the bench over the last three Premier League games but is yet to make an appearance. JJ Gabriel has also been rumoured with a FA Cup debut after his training with the first team.
Academy graduate, Kobbie Mainoo, has struggled to get off the bench so far this season following his last two successful seasons with United and has started to look towards a move away from the club. This has caused huge questions over Amorims faith in the United youth system.
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