United's New Path: 'We Don't Want to Make the Same Mistakes'

Manchester United is shifting its transfer strategy, moving away from record-breaking deals for big-name stars towards a more targeted approach of acquiring the 'right' players. This change signals an end to an era where aging superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo were signed primarily for their brand value. Now, the focus is on players who can genuinely improve the team's performance on the field.

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Before, I got the feeling they signed good players. Now they sign the right players.

Experts consulted by VG suggest this new direction is a positive step. "Before, I got the feeling they signed good players. Now they sign the right players," says Viaplay football expert Lars Tjærnås. He notes that the club is no longer signing players like an aging Ronaldo for marketing purposes. Instead, they are bringing in individuals with a realistic chance of elevating the team's sporting capabilities.

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They don't want to spend too much money, and they don't want to make the same mistakes they have done previously.

Tyrone Marshall, a journalist for the Manchester Evening News who closely follows the club, believes United is prioritizing building its squad over making massive individual signings. "They don't want to spend too much money, and they don't want to make the same mistakes they've made before," Marshall explains. He points out that instead of spending over £100 million on a single midfielder, the club is acquiring multiple players like Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos for a combined cost less than that figure.

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You are never fully equipped, because you always want to get better. Regardless of the situation, you always want to push to get better.

Manager Michael Carrick acknowledges the need for continuous improvement, stating, "You are never fully equipped because you always want to get better." With Champions League football back on the agenda, the team faces demanding periods with multiple matches per week. Carrick recognizes the difference from previous seasons where they had mostly one game a week. However, Tjærnås identifies a weakness in squad depth, particularly in the defensive line, highlighting the need for more players, ideally a center-back and a left-back, or a versatile player capable of filling both roles.

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The back line is currently plagued by injuries. They need greater depth there, ideally both a stopper and a left-back – or someone who can play in both positions.