Man Utd struck most important deal of summer for just £2.5m, impact has been huge

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Manchester United are reflecting on a successful transfer window, and a very satisfying one for new investors Ineos.

Heading into summer 2024, Manchester United needed to make a statement, and had multiple areas of the pitch to address. It has been a big success.

United have signed players in defence, midfield, and attack, without ever crossing the £60 million mark, for the first time since 2021.

This sensible spending allowed United to buy five first team stars, with a net spend of £101 million, due to a number of impressive sales, many of which will bring in future income.

• READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25

Dan Ashworth absolutely key

It is hard to split Manchester United’s key five deals and assess which is the best one. The easy answer, is that the actual best recruit is the sporting director.

Dan Ashworth joined Manchester United on July 1, ending a long back-and-forth with Newcastle where it was suggested he might not even be permitted to start work this transfer window at all.

The Guardian reported in February that Newcastle were demanding £20 million for Ashworth in compensation.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe did not blink. According to the The Athletic’s podcast, Manchester United paid just around £2.5 million in compensation for Ashworth’s services.

Laurie Whitwell said: “United always felt Newcastle would lower their demands. I’m told the compensation is what Newcastle paid for him originally, which is £2-2.5 million.”

Ashworth began work straight away, and has overseen a carefully measured window, where United refused to bite on Everton’s demands to pay £70 million for Jarrad Branthwaite. Previous regimes at Old Trafford would have paid that fee, and then some.

Every negotiation has come out looking like a win for Manchester United. From the statement signing of Leny Yoro, to the knockdown price for Matthijs de Ligt, Bayern Munich’s best centre-back. The oldest player signed was Noussair Mazraoui, 26.

And then there have been the multiple youth deals too, from Arsenal’s best academy player Chido Obi-Martin, to Mali wonderkid Sekou Kone. Ineos have been constructing a team for the future, not just the present.

Look at Newcastle without Ashworth

There are multiple figures who deserve credit too, Sir Jim Ratcliffe for putting all the pieces in place, Sir Dave Brailsford, chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox, recruitment expert Christopher Vivell.

Yet if you want evidence of Ashworth’s impact, just look at how Newcastle have struggled without him.

“They haven’t helped Eddie (Howe) at all. Failed him,” was Alan Shearer’s cutting verdict on Newcastle United’s new post-Ashworth recruitment team.

Newcastle’s deals extend to William Osula and Odysseas Vlachodimos. They spent the back end of the transfer window frantically chasing after Marc Guehi, and only walked away 24 hours before the deadline when Crystal Palace demanded £75 million.

This was the kind of shambolic window that would not have happened on Ashworth’s watch.

The reported £2.5 million looks like a bargain. And even if United ended up paying a little more, it would have been worth every penny.