The name of the game at Manchester United since Ineos took part-ownership has been to save money so Jason Wilcox might be the most popular man at the club right now!
For a club that is cutting benefits left, right, and centre, even risking the wrath of supporters by raising the ticket prices, Jason Wilcox has played a blinder.
Man Utd’s weakest area has been identified and an investment of just over £1 million has potentially saved the club from a £70 million blow.
Most importantly, the move doesn’t even come with an asterisk attached, it’s pure genius and reflects extremely well on everyone at the club.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Jason Wilcox’s Man Utd masterclass
When Dan Ashworth left Man Utd in exceptional circumstances, the fan sentiment was rightly at its lowest, the trust in Ineos’ decision-making ebbing away.
Since then, Ashworth’s role has effectively been engulfed by Jason Wilcox, someone who Sir Jim Ratcliffe clearly rates very highly.
Ratcliffe recently said that Wilcox has the “best eyes”, something that was true for him at Manchester City as well when it came to spotting promising talent.
The biggest example of that phenomenon has already been seen at Old Trafford as “his eyes” have saved United from a blow of £70 million in the summer window.
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By securing the signature of Ayden Heaven for just over £1 million in a move that puzzled many, he has ensured that United’s open spot for a physical, left-footed centre-back is now filled.
What that’s done is taken off a certain Englishman from United’s radar who was quoted at £70 million by his club last summer – Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has insisted that there’s no glory in buying Kylian Mbappe, the true measure of competence is in unearthing the next one.
Ayden Heaven’s shining form has made it clear that United have done just that.
Man Utd transfer playbook is clear
Ruben Amorim likes working with younger players, United want to buy younger players, and Wilcox is the best spotter for younger players in England.
If the club before Ineos was a hopeless mess of disjointed vision, the philosophy is immediately clear with the new regime, and paying dividends.
Not every player will come in and hit the ground running like Heaven but that is why it was so important that he succeeds and transmits belief into the fans that Ineos know what they are doing.
His success has ensured United will go deep into this playbook, maybe even giving Diego Leon a chance to impress for the first-team straight away next season.
More such young arrivals can be expected as Amorim builds this team in his own image, but with players who will flourish under any manager.
That’s how competent clubs are run.