“Not done the research…” INEOS questioned over Manchester United transfer strategy

Former Manchester United player Alan Smith has posed questions surrounding INEOS’ key transfer target for the upcoming transfer window.

INEOS are looking to sign Michael Olise this summer, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly having made the Crystal Palace player his top priority for the summer transfer window.

Manchester United are in dire need of extra creativity in their attacking positions, with the club struggling for both goals and the ability to supply Rasmus Højlund, Olise’s recent performances have shown that the player has bags of talent in both areas.

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However, former United player and now famed commentator Alan Smith has questioned the singing, citing the club’s old signing of Wilfried Zaha as evidence that the difference between playing for Palace and United is a huge gulf and that unless INEOS do their research, it is a signing that could go wrong.

Speaking to BritishGambler, Smith said: “I think regardless of who they are, it needs to the right fit – do the characteristics fit. Are we going down the same route as the signing of Wilfried Zaha?

“There’s a huge difference between playing for Crystal Palace and Man United, and sometimes if you’ve not done the research on the player’s personality, you’re taking a chance on anybody coming to Man United. Have they played at a huge club? Have they played at a club that demands the same expectations as Man United?

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“That’s where the short-term of going. Do we just sign someone because we need somebody, instead of signing someone for the future of the club? Playing at a big club has to be the remit. Playing at a club with the same standards.

“Going back to my own understanding of it, I signed from Leeds United, which was very similar – not had the recent success, but the standards and expectations we had in the 90s were the standards and expectations set by the team in the 70s, the best team in Europe. That kind of standard of club and people you associate yourself with is what people look at.

“I was brought up by Eddie Gray, and his son Stuart, unfortunately, passed away at the weekend – Eddie was probably the biggest influence on my career, and the only reason that I signed for Man United was because of his relationship with Sir Alex and the connection through British football. He knew the standards of what Eddie would set, and it would meet the expectation of what United would set.”