“No way” – Jason Wilcox wouldn’t have signed two current Manchester United players

Jason Wilcox has entered the building at Manchester United and is set for a busy summer transfer window if Dan Ashworth does not arrive before then.

Wilcox, 53, officially joined the club last month after United reached an agreement with Southampton over a compensation fee.

Formally the academy director at Manchester City, Wilcox joined Southampton at the end of last season to become their director of football.

His role at Old Trafford is technical director, and he will eventually be second in command to Dan Ashworth, who is expected to become the club’s new sporting director.

However, there are issues recording Ashworth’s compensation fee, and various reports have stated that it’s unlikely that he’ll be at the club in time for the summer transfer window.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Wilcox is essentially running the show at the moment and the club are planning for the transfer window with the 53-year-old as the most senior football executive.

Wilcox would say “no way” to two players

There have been countless “failed” signings at United in recent years and many argue that some of the current squad fit that nametag.

Casemiro and Antony were both signed during Erik ten Hag’s first summer in charge for fees of £70 million and £ 85 million, respectively.

The former Real Madrid man had an impressive first season but has fallen off a cliff this campaign in terms of performances. Antony, meanwhile, has failed to make a significant impression during his first two years at Old Trafford.

John Murtough was the football director at the time and has been heavily criticised for allowing Ten Hag additional control.

The aforementioned report from the MEN added that a source who has dealt with Wilcox and United’s former football director Murtough said they were “totally different characters.” It was stated there was a feeling within the industry that Murtough had been too willing to give Ten Hag what he wanted when it came to incomings.

Additionally, when asked about the signings of Antony and Casemiro at those prices, the source added that there was “no way” Wilcox would have signed those off at those fees.

“He is a tough negotiator, he is prepared to walk away from a deal if it is not right for his club and that is what United need,” another source explained.

The structure is building

Whilst it is not ideal that Ashworth might not be at the club in time for the summer window, having both Wilcox and Omar Berrada in the building will be important.

The former Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers will have a big task without Ashworth in the building, but he clearly has the correct assets to deal with the situation.

Since joining the club, he has attended all of United’s games and was also spotted watching the Under-18s in their final league game this weekend.