To their credit, INEOS are slowly but surely starting to turn Manchester United’s recruitment strategy into a huge success.
Although it took time and management departures to show that on the pitch, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammes have all been recent successes.
It’s a stark contrast to previous windows, which saw the likes of Angel Di Maria, who has become a villain for those at Old Trafford, arriving ahead of recent arrivals like Rasmus Hojlund and Antony.
To say that Man United were forced to learn a lesson the hard way would be an understatement, but INEOS is finally turning things around.
INEOS’ next big investment is on the cards for Man Utd
As if visited by three ghosts of Man United’s past, Sir Jim Ratcliffe ignored his money-saving measures last summer and spent big to transform the Red Devils.
The INEOS boss has invested heavily to transform his forward line from being incredibly dull and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest that the Red Devils are the most dangerous side in transition that the Premier League has to offer right now.
It wasn’t a complicated transfer scheme last summer, either. There was no focus on European stars. They beat them many times at Old Trafford. And it wasn’t focused on unproven big-money players like Hojlund and Antony.
Instead, Man United got a good mix. They welcomed two Premier League talents in Mbeumo and Cunha – laying the foundation for their new club – and invested in the future of Sesko, while solving their goalkeeper problem with Lammens. All four have been very successful under interim manager Michael Carrick.
|
25/26 figures |
Goals |
It helps |
|---|---|---|
|
Mbeumo |
10 |
3 |
|
Cunha |
7 |
4 |
|
Sesko |
10 |
1 |
It’s a recruiting strategy that looks set to continue this summer. Indeed, according to talkSPORT, Man United are in talks to sign Elliot Anderson in a £120m deal.
Rumors have been swirling around the England midfielder for the past few months and talkSPORT reports that while Nottingham Forest have yet to receive ‘official bids’ for his services, City and United have ‘held talks with the players’ camp’.
City are not optimistic about their chances but United are in the table so it is not a foregone conclusion.
Man Utd’s most expensive signing ever
Most of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
Why Anderson could be Man Utd’s best player since Bruno Fernandes
In terms of dynamic signings, Anderson will be up there with Bruno Fernandes.
If Man United pull themselves out of oblivion, it will be Fernandes who should be thanked, a man who was one of the club’s best midfielders. He has scored eight goals and provided 17 assists. While many around him failed, especially under Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese has been one constant about the Red Devils.
However, if they can start another season of success, it could be Anderson who takes the captain’s torch.
The Nottingham Forest man, as his side have gone out to maintain their run in the top flight, has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season.
£120m may seem like a lot of money this summer, but the England international will prove to be worth every penny of that money. With Casemiro heading for the exit door, Anderson would provide Man United with a complete midfielder, perfect for today’s physically driven version of English football.
|
Most of the recovery in Europe |
|
|---|---|
|
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) |
257 |
|
Luis Milla (Getafe) |
176 |
|
Luka Modric (AC Milan) |
172 |
|
Mamadou Sangare (Lens) |
171 |
|
Kaishu Sano (Mainz) |
169 |
There aren’t many better players than Anderson in the whole of Europe. Not only has he made more rebounds than anyone else this season; you did it in an outstanding way. So much so that even Luka Modric’s giant has never come close.
That doesn’t mean Man United will be signing a one-sided midfielder. Only 13 players in Europe’s top five clubs have completed Anderson’s pass so far this season and that has come against an unlikely side to dominate Nottingham Forest.
Under Carrick, Man United’s attack-filled team has reached third place in the Premier League. Now, add a solid foundation of the field, and they can sneak back to the glory days.
For a surprise £120m move, the Red Devils could combine Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Anderson to form one of the best midfield trios in English football next season.
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