The summer 2020 transfer window was a poor one for Manchester United, except when it came to youth recruitment.
A year after signing Hannibal from Monaco, the club signed Alejandro Garnacho from Atletico Madrid, Isak Hansen-Aaroen from Tromso, and Marc Jurado from Barcelona.
All three helped United win the FA Youth Cup, while Alvaro Fernandez, signed from Real Madrid, won the reserves player of the year award. Willy Kambwala, signed as a youngster from Sochaux, has just stepped up to make his uner-21s debut.
The following summers, 2021 and 2022, there were no young signings from abroad – this is because of the new Brexit rules preventing the club from signing foreign players under 18, and a possible reason for the splurge, in advance, in 2020.
There are ways to circumvent the restrictions, by becoming partners with foreign teams, and loaning youngsters out, similar to the club’s previous deal with Royal Antwerp. The Athletic reported in 2021: “United may look to strike a relationship with a European club in time, but no formal discussions have taken place as yet.”
No progress has been made on this front. Nor is anything imminent. But Sir Jim Ratcliffe could change all that.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe linked with Manchester United takeover
The Financial Times report Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos have formally entered the process to buy Manchester United.
At present they are the only party confirmed to be in the mix, and while there will be competition, Ineos have a strong case, added to by the fact they already own two European clubs.
Ineos own Nice in France and Lausanne in Switzerland, in addition to being partnered with Racing Abijian in the Ivory Coast.
If successful with a takeover of Manchester United, all three clubs effectively become satellite club to Ineos’ new jewel in the crown, presenting the Red Devils with a chance to re-enter the market to sign top foreign talent.
United can sign top youngsters, the next Alejandro Garnacho’s, and send them out to Nice, or perhaps Lausanne would be a softer landing spot for their development, until they turn 18.
Manchester City have already taken this approach, and it would allow United to pull the trigger on deals they would like to do.
Over the past 18 months, United have invited foreign trialists over to Carrington, including Czech youngster Karol Borys and Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall, who has since signed with Djurgarden. Norwegian talent Chisander Sorum was another who saw chances of a switch blocked by Brexit.
Without the option to sign young foreign talent, Alejandro Garnacho would not be at the club right now. These deals are low cost, and can save millions down the line.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos would give United a much-needed solution, and is one more reason why they could be welcome new owners.
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