If there was ever an example needed to prove that “Manchester United tax” is a real phenomenon, and not just a fan complaint, this transfer window has just provided it in a startling manner.
Man Utd fans have already got an unwanted glimpse at the phenomenon during this window, with Brentford eager to drag the negotiations for Bryan Mbeumo as much as possible.
That was after United’s request to talk over the payment terms for Matheus Cunha was denied, something that rarely happens to other clubs.
However, the biggest proof of “Man Utd tax” has just been given in the form of a move for a teenage wonderkid the club were quoted £100m.
Tyler Dibling of Southampton and Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on January 16, 2025
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Man Utd will be seething with Tyler Dibling transfer update
On paper, Man Utd’s links to Tyler Dibling made complete sense. He is a Premier League-proven, young and exciting attacking talent who has the skill set to thrill Old Trafford.
Add to that the Southampton connection via Jason Wilcox, and this was a move that was expected to gain a lot of traction this summer.
However, so ludicrous was Southampton’s stance on Dibling that the story had its legs cut off before it even learnt how to walk.
The asking price for Dibling started at £100m, and it didn’t look like a negotiation tactic either, as United were repeatedly discouraged whenever they were reported to have made an advance on the player.
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The same player is now the subject of transfer offers from Everton, with Southampton happy to do business for “just” £45m or so.
Man Utd went out of the picture, and suddenly, the asking price was slashed to half of what was being demanded from the Red Devils.
If that isn’t an indication of what the footballing world thinks of Man Utd, thanks to Ed Woodward/Glazers and Co., then nothing is.
Ineos are mending a broken boat
When the negotiations for Mbeumo were dragging, or United refused to enter a bidding war for Gyokeres, and they’re doing the same now for Sesko, there was plenty of frustration.
However, this Dibling transfer update proves that United are not just facing the selling club while making a purchase.
They are facing the demons of the “old” United, one that was regularly taken for a ride under the leadership of Woodward, and then John Murtough.
Ineos didn’t just take over a broken boat, they took over a sinking boat that was also being looted by everyone around it.
If some hard stance and delays in negotiating are the cost of resetting United’s reputation in the footballing world, then that is a trade most fans should be willing to make.
It’s the only way this ludicrous tax goes away which magically appears any time United register their interest in a player.