Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League finish last season forced Ineos to launch into action this summer.
A 15th-placed finish in the Premier League and defeat in the Europa League final marked a disastrous end to the season for Manchester United, but Ruben Amorim promised a recruitment plan this summer.
It was widely reported that United would financially struggle this summer, but the latest £66m arrival of Benjamin Sesko means the Red Devils have now spent over £200m this summer with no significant sales.
Sesko joins Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon as United’s new arrivals – all four players were paraded around Old Trafford before Saturday’s penalty shootout win over Fiorentina.
It seems Ineos are still not yet done with United’s recruitment either, with a goalkeeper and midfielder still on the shopping list.
Jason Wilcox, Director of Football at Manchester United and Omar Berrada, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester United during the pre-season friendly.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand praises Ineos recruitment at Man United
There was plenty of negativity around United’s fanbase heading into the summer, but the transfer window has been refreshingly positive for everyone associated with the club.
Sesko completes a new-look attack for Amorim, with Cunha and Mbeumo expected to support him from the two No.10 positions.
United legend Rio Ferdinand is among those excited by the new signings, and he piled praise on Ineos for adding “mobility, pace and power” to Amorim’s squad.
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“They are the things I’ve been asking for in the last couple years. More of that. You have to say, the recruitment team have delivered.
“They’ve absolutely delivered in that department in terms of mobility, pace and power.
“I think the fan base have to be pleased with that and the recruitment team have to take great credit.”
There is no doubt that Ineos have improved United’s recruitment after a decade of poor decisions following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
What Rio Ferdinand has said about Man United’s 2025/26
Ferdinand has been following United’s summer schedule closely having flown out to the United States to follow Amorim’s side on tour.
Mbeumo’s professionalism stood out to Ferdinand after he had the chance to speak to the £65m arrival in the USA.
After watching Amorim’s training sessions, Ferdinand was impressed by Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, and it seems the legendary defender is excited about what the Red Devils could achieve in 2025/26.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand singles out four Man Utd stars where Ruben Amorim’s team can be ‘exposed,’ two have ‘no athleticism’
However, Ferdinand predicted United to finish eighth, so clearly he is not overly convinced that Ineos have closed the gap to United’s biggest rivals in the Premier League.
That could change if Ineos continue their impressive recruitment this summer, though. Ferdinand urged Ineos to sign Carlos Baleba and it seems as though United’s chiefs are ready to try and tempt Brighton into a deal.