Manchester United are looking to re-write the script at Old Trafford as they aim for sustainable, long-term success
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring for France against Senegal at the World Cup
Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring for France against Senegal at the World Cup(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
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Kylian Mbappe is not on Manchester United's radar. We are sorry to burst that bubble. But the French superstar, who scored twice against Senegal at the World Cup this week, forms a key part of Ineos' vision for the Reds. In an interview with legendary Ineos and Team Sky cyclist Geraint Thomas in March 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe was asked whether United would spend big to sign Mbappe.
"I'd rather find the next Mbappe than spend a fortune trying to buy success," the Ineos billionaire responded. "It's not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way?
"Anyone could figure that one out. Much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or Jude Bellingham or the next Roy Keane." Ratcliffe's public interviews have not always been met with widespread approval, but it was hard to argue with this thought process. United simply cannot spend an unlimited amount of money.
Even if Real were willing to entertain an offer for Mbappe, the Reds would be looking at more than £150m for his signature. Such a massive sum would block United from doing further business and leave their squad imbalanced. Besides, it would not do much for the Reds ending their 'dumb money' reputation.
"(INEOS) never wants to be the dumb money in town, never, never," Ratcliffe said in 2019, five years before co-owning his boyhood club. "They [United] are in quite a big pickle as a business. They haven't got the manager selection right (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer), haven't bought well.
"They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred." It is easy for Ratcliffe to be on the outside critiquing, but after such strong claims, he needed to show an instant plan when it came to transfer strategy.
Since February 2024, and with the help of Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and academy director Stephen Torpey, United have started to look to the future. While players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have signed to make an instant impact, the Reds have put a concerted effort into signing young players.
The goal is simple. Snap up the best quality academy players before their rivals and either watch them flourish or sell them on for a hefty profit.
So far, United have signed Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal while also tempting Jack and Tyler Fletcher away from Manchester City. The Reds' track record of giving young players an opportunity has also helped them keep hold of their best Carrington products like JJ Gabriel.
Manchester United academy sensation JJ Gabriel
Manchester United academy sensation JJ Gabriel
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Obi, Heaven and the Fletcher twins have all been handed first-team opportunities for United, vindicating their decisions to move to Old Trafford. Gabriel is likely to become the next player to follow that path when eligible for senior appearances next season.
It is likely to have been one of the reasons Michael Carrick was the preferred successor to Ruben Amorim too. Carrick mended the bridge between the first-team and academy while interim head coach. This did not go unnoticed.
But United are not resting on their laurels. On Friday, MEN Sport reported that 14-year-old Derby County striker Blake Henry is the latest wonderkid on the Reds' radar.
Incredibly, Henry scored 45 goals this past season and even made his debut in the U18 Premier League. With the youngster set to leave the Rams this summer, United are at the front of the queue to snap him up.
Now, it is way too early for Henry to be labelled the next Mbappe. But this is the recruitment strategy Ratcliffe envisioned when Ineos arrived more than two years ago.
The teenager could have a long and successful career at United or he may move elsewhere and make the Reds a tidy profit. Either way, this is the route Ineos believe will create long-term success for the Reds and we can expect more of these signings in the years to come.