Manchester United preached the mantra of “less is more” this transfer window, much to the frustration of many fans, but they fixed a major Glazer error in the process.
Ineos’ business in the January window was limited to sanctioning some permanent sales of academy players like Joe Hugill and Rhys Bennett, and adding some loans in the process.
Man Utd did try to sign Antoine Semenyo, only for the player to choose Man City, causing irreparable damage to Ruben Amorim’s relationship with the club.
Man Utd chose NOT to make any signings mid-season… Are you worried this is a mistake?
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However, sometimes, the best thing you can do is avoid doing the wrong thing, and Ineos have fixed a major Glazer error in this aspect.
Marcel Sabitzer of Manchester United, Wout Weghorst of Manchester United celebrates with Luke Shaw of Manchester United after the Carabao Cup Final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on February 26, 2023
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The Glazer error at Man Utd
To say that the Glazers made mistakes at Old Trafford would be the understatement of the century.
Their very presence at Man Utd is a mistake, but they added to it in immeasurable ways in their two-decade ownership of the club.
Recruitment was a major one, and that only came into focus further when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, taking away their shield of success.
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Their biggest mistake in recruitment after Sir Alex Ferguson, and to an extent, even with him, was their shortsightedness and panic buying.
The likes of Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer, Odion Ighalo, or Radamel Falcao are more recent examples, but the list goes back to when Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced by Gabriel Obertan, Michael Owen, and Antonio Valencia.
With every transfer, it became clear that they had no vision for the squad about how it could look five or ten years from now.
Either the moves were made due to a player’s social media profile, or as a panic buy after striking out on unattainable targets.
The result? A mess of a squad with no discernible vision or game model.
Ineos are fixing the Glazer mess
Ineos set a target for 2028 to win the Premier League with Man Utd, and there’s a reason why that year has been chosen.
Are you happy with Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
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Sure, it’s the 150th anniversary of the club, but it is also when Ineos will complete five years at the club, which means most of the players signed under the Glazers will have left.
This January transfer window proves they are determined not to add to the mess by making the same mistakes their predecessors did.
Despite cries from Man Utd fans, and even Ruben Amorim, Ineos were set in their minds that any move would only be for a long-term target brought forward.
There would be no sticking bandages over a leaking wound, with the long-term vision as the primary objective.
No more signings like Sabitzer or Weghorst will be made, with the funds saved to execute the long-term plan instead.
It’s not popular all the time, but someone needed to be the adult in the room.
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