The summer of 2024 has marked a significant shift in Manchester United’s transfer approach, with Ineos making its presence felt. Historically, United’s transfer dealings have been plagued by high costs and prolonged negotiations, a trend that persisted under the leadership of Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold. Fans still lament the hefty fees for players like Antony and Harry Maguire, both around the £80m mark, and even the £55m paid for Mason Mount, which seemed steep given his contract situation and injury history.
However, with Ineos now in charge, United’s transfer strategy has taken a smarter turn, closely mirroring that of cross-city rivals Manchester City. This shift is largely attributed to Omar Berrada, a key figure praised by Gary Neville for bringing a level of excellence to Old Trafford.
Berrada, who played a crucial role in City’s successful recruitment strategy, has introduced a similar approach at United. While City has been lauded for rarely overspending on signings, focusing instead on acquiring several quality players for around £60m each, United has often been guilty of overpaying.
This summer, however, United’s transfer dealings reflect a more calculated approach. The club has signed four players, each costing under £60m:
Leny Yoro – £52m
Matthijs de Ligt – £38m
Joshua Zirkzee – £36m
Noussair Mazraoui – £12m
These signings represent excellent value for money, with their quality and potential far outweighing the prices paid. In previous years, the cost for such a quartet could have been exorbitant.
This new strategy, inspired by City’s success, is already showing promise at United. If it continues, it could lead to a similar level of success that City has enjoyed in recent years.Manchester United’s summer 2024 transfer strategy under INEOS has indeed marked a significant departure from their past approach, which was often characterized by overpaying for players and drawn-out negotiations. The shift toward a more calculated and value-driven strategy has been a refreshing change for the club and its supporters.
Under the influence of INEOS and Omar Berrada, United has adopted a model similar to Manchester City’s, focusing on acquiring high-quality players without inflating transfer fees. Historically, United’s transfers under Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold were frequently criticized for excessive spending, such as the £80 million spent on both Harry Maguire and Antony, and the £55 million on Mason Mount. These fees were seen as reflective of a lack of negotiating leverage and strategic foresight.
However, this summer’s signings demonstrate a much more disciplined approach. The acquisition of Leny Yoro for £52 million, Matthijs de Ligt for £38 million, Joshua Zirkzee for £36 million, and Noussair Mazraoui for £12 million reflects a commitment to securing quality players at reasonable prices. Notably, the total outlay for these four signings is still under £60 million per player, a stark contrast to previous summers where single signings would often exceed this amount.
The influence of Omar Berrada, who was pivotal in Manchester City’s success in the transfer market, has been instrumental in this transformation. Berrada’s experience has brought a level of excellence and strategic planning to United, enabling the club to avoid the pitfalls of overspending. This new approach aligns more closely with the principles that have made City successful: spreading investments across multiple quality players rather than splurging on a few big names.
If this strategy continues, Manchester United could potentially mirror the sustained success that Manchester City has achieved in recent years, not just in terms of on-field performance, but also in financial prudence and squad building. The summer of 2024 might well be remembered as the turning point that set United on a path to smarter, more sustainable success.
