Manchester United’s recent recruitment plans appear to be taking a new direction this summer. The football giants have been considering the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rene Hake, Matthijs de Ligt, and Joshua Zirkzee to join the coaching staff and strengthen the squad.
If De Ligt and Zirkzee were to join from Bayern Munich and Bologna, it would increase the number of Dutch players in the team, or players who have previously played in the Eredivisie, to nine. These potential signings could indicate that United’s transfer strategy may still be influenced by the manager’s preferences.
However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, representing Ineos, has expressed a clear desire to deviate from the current model that heavily invests in the manager’s authority. Ratcliffe emphasized the need for a well-structured foundation for Manchester United to achieve success, stressing that the coach should not report directly to the chief executive.
The restructuring efforts at Manchester United are being led by Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, who is set to oversee significant changes in decision-making processes related to player transfers. This new direction aims to reduce the influence of the team manager, Erik ten Hag, compared to previous summer transfer windows.
As the club restructures its scouting and recruitment operations, United is moving towards a more collaborative approach, aiming for a strategic recruitment strategy under the guidance of Ashworth, known for his astute decision-making.
Ashworth emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach when it comes to recruitment, highlighting the potential risk of wasted resources if the coach does not back the signed players. He stressed the need to focus on specific areas of improvement within the team and to consider internal options before diving into the transfer market. Ashworth’s example of targeting Tariq Lamptey based on his own experience further exemplifies the importance of a collaborative and inclusive recruitment process.
Ultimately, the impending shift in the recruitment process at Manchester United represents a new era, aiming to involve multiple stakeholders in the decision-making process. The changes under Dan Ashworth’s leadership are intended to ensure a strategically sound approach to player recruitment and foster a collaborative relationship between the coaching staff and the recruitment team.