Sir Jim Ratcliffe has indicated that he is not keen on signing well-known world class players like Kylian Mbappe for Manchester United, and instead wants to focus on targeting the next generation of stars.
United’s new co-owner and INEOS will oversee their first transfer window at Old Trafford this summer.
The club’s performance in the transfer market since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure over a decade ago has faced much criticism with significant changes to United’s recruitment department already in progress.
United have spent large sums on transfer fees and salaries to bring in established names from across Europe, including Angel di Maria and Alexis Sanchez, with little success.
More recently, the signings of Raphael Varane and Casemiro from Real Madrid have been questioned in terms of long-term strategy. Under the Ratcliffe era, a different approach is expected, with the INEOS chief executive sharing his approach during an appearance on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast.
Ratcliffe would rather find the next Mbappe than spend a lot of money buying success, as he expressed in response to a question about signing Tadej Pogačar for his INEOS cycling team or the sensational Mbappe for United.
Ratcliffe stated, ‘It’s not that clever, is it? Buying Mbappe. In a way. Anyone could figure that one out. But what is much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or the next [Jude] Bellingham or the next Roy Keane.’
Thomas, who rides for the INEOS cycling team, suggested the idea of United signing Bellingham, acknowledging that there is ‘no chance’ of prising the England star away from Real Madrid.
Ratcliffe once again indicated that United’s focus will be on readjusting their recruitment process to ensure they sign the best young talents before they become widely known.
‘He’s a great footballer [but] it’s not where our focus is,’ said Ratcliffe.
‘The solution isn’t spending a lot of money on a couple of great players. They’ve done that, if you look at the last 10 years.
‘The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right positions, managing and organizing the club.
‘We must make sure we get recruitment right, such a vital part of running a football club is getting recruitment right, finding new players.’
Ratcliffe wants United to discover the next generation of stars.
