There has been a noticeable shift in transfer strategy at Manchester United since the Ineos minority takeover.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos and the new-look hierarchy at Manchester United took control of their first summer transfer window since the takeover was completed in December.
They added five major signings to Erik ten Hag‘s squad and held a much-needed clearout which saw eight first-team players leave the club.
The excitement and hope from the summer transfer window has failed to translate to on-pitch success this season, but there are still promising signs that better footballing decisions are being made by the club.
There was a clear change to the transfer strategy with Ineos targeting young, promising talents that can continue to develop into superstars at Old Trafford. The oldest signing made in the summer was 26-year-old Noussair Mazraoui.
£115m Premier League deal inspired Man United strategy
According to Fabrizio Romano, one deal signed by a Premier League rival inspired United’s change of strategy with Ineos desperate to not miss out on young talent.
He explained via his YouTube channel that Chelsea’s £115m signing of Moises Caicedo helped inspire United’s transfer strategy.
Caicedo was available for just £4.5m when United were linked in 2020, but the club snubbed the move and he joined Brighton instead.
The Red Devils retained an interest in Caicedo in 2023 before his move to Stamford Bridge for a record-breaking transfer fee.
Romano explained that United view the collapsed Caicedo move as a failure that “won’t happen again” under new ownership.
Man United strategy in action with two exciting signings
There’s no good in Ineos talking the talk if they can’t walk the walk – so that’s exactly what they did this summer.
Their transfer strategy has immediately become clear, with United targeting exciting young talents over the window.
READ MORE: Chido Obi-Martin now pictured in Man Utd kit for the first time, hint made over where he will debut
Alongside the five major signings to the first team, United completed under-the-radar deals for teenagers Chido Obi-Martin and Sekou Kone – two wonderkids that the club are confident will become stars.
United fans are already excited with Obi-Martin after watching clips of him training at Carrington. Meanwhile, Ten Hag has been impressed by Kone, and the 18-year-old midfielder could be in line to make his first-team debut shortly.
United have a clear pathway for Obi-Martin, who is expected to be implemented as the third-choice striker in Ten Hag’s squad.
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