Manchester United are in direct competition with Liverpool and Manchester City for a youngster with “real talent” in another INEOS-directed transfer.
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a minor stake in Manchester United, the club has focused on signing high-potential young players for a lower fee than the high-profile players purchased in recent years.
Sékou Koné was the first of these young signings, but many have joined him at Old Trafford since, including Diego Leon, who was announced as a first-team signing this summer.
Jason Wilcox – the Director of Football – has continued to scout promising youngsters since the transfer window closed, with one currently on trial.
While they don’t directly impact Rúben Amorim’s squad, they help build United for the future. Future planning was ignored before INEOS took charge, so this type of recruitment is always good to see.
United interested in Hearts youngster McMeekin
United’s under-18s have been flying this season under the new guidance of Darren Fletcher, who replaced Adam Lawrence at the beginning of the summer.
While the squad is already looking head and shoulders above the rest of the league, United are eyeing a move for Hearts youngster Kier McMeekin, as per Edinburgh News. The 15-year-old would likely join the under-18s if he impresses in his first weeks at the club.
However, United face competition from both Liverpool and Manchester City, with Brighton also interested in the young midfielder, who has been described as a “real talent”.
McMeekin has visited the City’s facilities in recent weeks, but he has yet to make a final decision on his future. Several Premier League sides are trying to tempt him into a move to England.
The young Scotsman may choose to stay at Hearts as first-team opportunities are much more likely for him there than in England, especially in the next few years.
INEOS show they won’t budge from transfer strategy
While United have struggled for form at the start of this season, INEOS are showing that they aren’t willing to change their transfer strategy and return to the old ways of overpaying for mediocre talent.
Previous higher-ups at United would have panicked in the current situation and rushed to sack the manager or spend more money on unnecessary talent. But INEOS are showing they are different.
Fans can argue about whether Amorim is the right manager or not, but INEOS are proving they deserve to be trusted with their other decisions since joining the club.
It is simply time for United fans to sit back and hope that the club is finally turning a corner under new ownership.
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