Avram Glazer, Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and David Gill
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are recognisable figures at United but Matt Hargreaves will have a big role to play this summer
When Manchester United officials walk past supporters in their club suits, the key figures are easy to spot. Fans will be aware of high-profile chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox. They will instantly recognise some of the Ineos figures, such as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.
But Matt Hargreaves could stroll past without any recognition. Despite that, the former Adidas market director is a key figure in the corridors of power at Old Trafford and when it comes to the wheeler-dealer nature of the transfer window, arguably the most important person.
This summer, Wilcox will work closely with Ruben Amorim to identify what the head coach requires, both in terms of incomings and outgoings. Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell plays an important role in identifying targets and dealing with agents. Then, director of football negotiations Hargreaves seeks to strike deals with clubs for players United want to sign and for those potentially on their way out.
Negotiating with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha was a relatively straightforward start to the window, given the Brazilian's release clause. It was simply a case of agreeing on a payment structure. However, Brentford have already made it clear they will drive a hard bargain for Bryan Mbeumo, despite the 25-year-old having only a maximum of two years left on his contract and having made his preference for a move to Old Trafford clear.
But Hargreaves' skills might be tested most acutely when it comes to departures. Sales will make this window go round for United, and they need to extract maximum value for players leaving the club.
In the case of Alejandro Garnacho, that might not be too difficult, given his age, talent and the level of performances he has already produced. Working against that will be the fact that Amorim has already made it clear he is finished at Old Trafford, giving buyers a pretty substantial edge in the market.
Finding buyers for Marcus Rashford, Antony, and now Jadon Sancho might be more difficult. There will be pressure on Hargreaves as well, with Ratcliffe having made it clear he doesn't want the club to pay the wages of players who perform elsewhere. He wants the club to start bringing in more money and getting wages down, so sales rather than another loan will be the priority.
One United source had previously declared the possibility of Chelsea deciding against signing Sancho permanently, and thereby paying a £5million penalty clause, as a "win-win" situation. You wonder if Hargreaves would have the same view.
Chelsea taking the £25million option to sign Sancho would be the easiest course of action. Now, United must put the player back out to market and hope a club comes calling. The failure of the 25-year-old to agree personal terms with Chelsea suggests finding a club that can afford a fee and a salary package for the former England winger will be a challenge, although Hargreaves' ability to strike a fruitful deal with Borussia Dortmund to loan Sancho in January 2024 went down well at Old Trafford.
The picture has changed since then, with Sancho about to head into the final year of his contract at the club and his future clearly lying away from United. A departure is required, which is also the case for Antony and Rashford. The former has at least enjoyed a productive loan spell with Real Betis, which United will hope to lead from interest elsewhere, as a permanent switch to Betis seems unlikely.
Rashford's future also looks likely to lie away from Aston Villa. His spell in the Midlands was an encouraging return to form if not an outright success, but he once again has set his sights on Barcelona, despite the financial difficulties they are experiencing. Again, buyers have an upper hand in any potential deal for Rashford, with Amorim having made it clear he has no future under him.
There had been an expectation that United could bank as much as £90million for Sancho, Antony and Rashford, but those sums are already beginning to look ambitious. Getting close to that figure will help supplement the transfer budget ahead of a season without European football, and all eyes will be on the least high-profile, but most important, executives in place at United.
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