Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new co-owner of Manchester United, has shared his transfer vision for the club, hinting at a shift towards targeting the next generation of stars rather than established world-class names like Kylian Mbappe. Ratcliffe, who heads INEOS, will oversee his first transfer window at Old Trafford this summer, aiming to revamp the club’s recruitment process.
In recent years, United’s transfer market record has been criticized for splurging on established players with little success, such as Angel di Maria and Alexis Sanchez. While signings like Raphael Varane and Casemiro have had important roles, questions have been raised about the long-term strategy behind these deals. Ratcliffe’s approach is expected to bring a change in tactics, focusing on finding young talents before they become household names.
During an appearance on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast, Ratcliffe expressed his preference for discovering the next Mbappe or rising stars like Jude Bellingham, rather than spending a fortune on established players. He emphasized the importance of getting recruitment right and restructuring the club’s management to achieve success on the field.
While Thomas suggested the idea of United signing Bellingham from Real Madrid, Ratcliffe acknowledged that their focus is on finding and nurturing young talents. The INEOS chief executive believes that investing in the right people and refining the recruitment process are crucial steps towards building a successful team. As United prepares for the upcoming transfer window, fans can expect a new approach under Ratcliffe’s leadership, aimed at securing the future stars of football.