Jason Wilcox has been speaking about Manchester United’s transfer activity in the summer window and explained the most significant move.
Manchester United have begun the campaign with their poorest Premier League start since 1992/93, collecting only four points from their opening four games.
Back then, the Reds mounted a recovery to claim the first of their 13 league titles, but such a revival feels highly unlikely this season.
Losses to Manchester City and Arsenal, a draw with Fulham, and a narrow win over Burnley have highlighted their struggles, while a surprise Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town has only added to the pressure.
Ruben Amorim’s rigid tactics and contentious selections are drawing growing criticism, with Chelsea next to visit Old Trafford.
Wilcox on United’s most significant transfer move
Despite the pressure seeming to build, there have been some promising moves at Old Trafford in recent months, particularly in the transfer window.
Many fans have been excited by the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško in attack even though a midfielder has not been signed.
The club’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, has labelled these signings as ‘really good additions’ who can help Amorim’s squad going forward.
But the ex-Blackburn Rovers winger also explained that the player exits in the summer were ‘just as important’ as those signings for two main reasons.
“We needed to change the playing squad, we’ve now made some really good additions this summer,” Wilcox said during a speech at a dinner for the Association of Manchester United Players.
“Sometimes taking players out of the squad is just as important as the players that you bring in and we’ve got to try and bring the culture and the respect back to Man United.”
United sold Alejandro Garnacho and Antony on permanent transfers in the summer window while the likes of Rasmus Højlund, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho departed on loan moves.
Wilcox and United chiefs will be defined by on-field success
United’s new leadership team have undoubtedly worked hard behind the scenes since taking charge, but ultimately, their success will always be judged by results on the pitch.
The exits of several players will only be deemed worthwhile if Amorim can start delivering with the squad he has now.
There is optimism among supporters about some of the arrivals, particularly Cunha and Mbeumo, though performances and results remain under scrutiny.
At the same time, as Scott McTominay has demonstrated at Napoli, questions will arise if those who left go on to thrive elsewhere while United continue to falter.
In the end, it comes down to replacing outgoing players with better ones; something that didn’t happen in McTominay’s case. This summer, however, the board appear to have done a stronger job in that regard.
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