Many of football’s biggest names never get to fulfil their dream of playing for Manchester United.
At a time when Ineos are trying to overhaul Manchester United’s recruitment policies, fans watch on patiently to see if it can help improve results on the pitch.
This season, that hasn’t been the case; however, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s and Ineos has prioritised young talent in the transfer window with signings such as Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi and Patrick Dorgu.
That strongly suggests Ineos have a long-term view on their biggest project yet at Old Trafford.
Without Champions League football, Manchester United will find it difficult to attract the bigger names during the peak of their careers.
It remains to be seen what kind of money United will spend in the summer, with the club facing several hurdles with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Ruben Amorim will be eager to improve key areas of his squad regardless.
Thibaut Courtois reveals Manchester United dream
Real Madrid’s number one Thibaut Courtois is one of the most respected goalkeepers in the modern game.
Boasting titles at Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid, the Belgian has had an incredible career to date between the sticks.
The 32-year-old has also won the Champions League twice as well as the Europa League.
Courtois broke onto the scene at boyhood club Genk and later attracted interest from around Europe in the summer of 2011 when he joined Chelsea.
He lived one of his dreams by signing for Real Madrid, but Courtois has now revealed that he would have been keen to join United as Edwin van der Sar’s replacement.
The man who blocked the move was David de Gea, who spent over a decade as the No. 1 at Old Trafford following a transfer from Atletico in 2011.
“I loved Edwin van der Sar and Casillas,” Courtois told Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel.
“I always followed Real Madrid and Manchester United games for that reason. I watched a lot of Edwin growing up and I tried to learn from him.”
Asked by Ferdinand why he never moved to United, Courtois added: “They signed David [de Gea], you know?
“That shaped my path in a bit of a different way. I was a fan of Man United.
“At the moment when I was starting to do well at Genk, there was some interest from Tottenham, some interest from Chelsea and some interest from clubs in other countries too.
“Chelsea at that moment had the best project for me long-term and basically because David was going to Man United, it opened the door for me to go to Atletico.
“That move made me into the goalkeeper I am today.”
Manchester United have goalkeeping problems
Erik ten Hag quickly identified the need for a ball-playing goalkeeper when he was United manager.
That meant De Gea’s days were numbered and he eventually signed Andre Onana from international.
But problems still exist in the United goalkeeper departing with Onana regularly committing howlers in his first two seasons at the club.
It doesn’t help that the team is underperforming, leaking goals and sat 15th in the Premier League.
United’s transfer activity may take a turn in the goalkeeper department this summer unless Onana improves significantly.
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