In an interview with Sky Sports back in 2022, Paul Mitchell spoke like a man fully aware of the problems at Manchester United, and a man with an idea of how to fix them.
“I think they do need to get to the point of really putting down what Manchester United needs to be in the modern game,” the former Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton director explained.
“We are a long time from the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Erik ten Hag is a top coach but they need a top blueprint, not only for now but for the next five years, and work towards that.”
One year on, with Paul Mitchell’s appointment now expected to be one of the first big changes behind the scenes at Manchester United following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover, the challenge may soon fall upon the man himself to put in place that ‘blueprint’ for success.
Paul Mitchell reportedly imminent at Manchester United
Mitchell, like the supposedly incoming CEO Jean-Claude Blanc, will arrive at Old Trafford with a reputation for being one of the best in his field anywhere in Europe. During his previous spell in English football, the Stalybridge-born talentspotter was heralded for the signings of Sadio Mane, Toby Alderweireld, Heung-Min Son, Dele Alli and more. A reputation he only enhanced during stints at RB Leipzig and Monaco.
According to the Daily Star, Ratcliffe has been ‘less than impressed’ with United’s recruitment in recent seasons – as his brutal assessment of former Red Devil Fred attests to – with Mitchell seemingly the man headhunted to replace John Murtough in the director of football role and solve a problem which has plagued the club ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Reports linking Man United with moves for both Vanderson and Youssouf Fofana, two players Mitchell brought to Monaco during his time in France, also likely come as no coincidence (90Min). Vanderson, in particular, is the prototype of the typical Mitchell signing.
Young and relatively unproven but brimming with potential. Affordable, too, at just £9 million. A bargain, considering that Vanderson is now valued at £50 million (Sport).
Mitchell a big fan of Vanderson
“Vanderson is a modern player. An attacking full-back who likes to get forward,” Mitchell said of the former Gremio man back in 2022.
“He already has a great experience with more than 50 professional matches in the Brazilian league and was very coveted in the Premier League, and in Serie A.
“We are sure that he will have a future in the Brazilian national team. He has great potential for the future. I think we have to give him time to adjust to our league, but I think he can have a real impact in the very near future.”
With nine assists and four goals to his name already in Monaco colours, Mitchell certainly wasn’t mistaken when he said that Vanderson, after a brief period of adaptation, would take French football by storm.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s contract situation not yet resolved and with Diogo Dalot coming under fire after some high profile mistakes, a new right-back may be one of United’s top priorities in 2024. And don’t be surprised if Vanderson is the man to kick-start the Mitchell era at Old Trafford.
The big question is whether Mitchell would sanction a £50 million deal in 2024 for Vanderson, or if he would use his recruitment skillset to pluck another hidden gem out in the £9 million range.
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