Manchester United want their own holistic transfer strategy …with or without Jose Mourinho

Time for change | Manchester United seek a clearer transfer strategy
REUTERS
James Robson @jamesrobsonES12 September 2018

That one of the key figures in Manchester United's transfer dealings in recent years, mentions the role, almost as an aside, speaks volumes.

Head of corporate development sounds nothing like a director of football or sporting director.

Not exactly the natural person to turn to when debating the merits of a ball-playing centre back, capable of operating in a three-man defence.

It sounds more like the job of a banker - which is exactly what it is.

Matthew Judge, who manages United's equity and debt capital structure, is hugely valued by Ed Woodward and American owners the Glazer family.

Not surprising with a background in investment finance with Price Waterhouse Cooper and JP Morgan that has made him an expert in managing the club's equity offerings and debt refinancing to the tune of around $1.5bn.

Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Judge also gets involved in player negotiations - transfers and contracts - which does sound rather small fry when compared to his main area of expertise. The area which convinced United to hire him from his former role at Evolution Securities, where he was head of technology corporate finance.

Woodward, meanwhile, is a commercial genius, forever finding new streams of revenue for a club that continues to grow regardless of what's happening on the pitch.

But five years since assuming control from former chief executive David Gill has come the realisation of his own limitations.

He cannot do it all. Not even with Judge beside him.

The decision in recent weeks to recruit a director of football comes after a summer, which has almost certainly cost United their chances of winning the Premier League title, could cost them their place in the Champions League next season - and ultimately their manager.

By vetoing Mourinho's pursuit of Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire and Ivan Perisic, Woodward placed himself directly at odds with his manager. And whether the tension between the two can ever truly be healed remains to be seen.

But - even in the face of public protests from supporters - the executive vice chairman finally broke what has been a cycle of failure.

Gary Neville was quick to round on Woodward - accusing him of leaving a house half-built.

There is sympathy with that opinion - and with Mourinho after two years of tangible progress.

The decision not to back him ahead of what promised to be United's most serious title challenge post Sir Alex Ferguson looked dubious.

But it was an indication that Woodward has finally acknowledged the lack of focus to the club's transfer strategy that has seen a continuous churn of players since Ferguson's retirement.

Andrea Berta of Atletico Madrid is a leading contender to change that.

Juventus' Fabio Paratici also comes highly recommended.

It is evidence Woodward is prepared to consider life beyond the current manager.

Too often that has not been the case, and the current squad is a mishmash of four different managers' ideas.

The sale of Daley Blind in the summer - a case in point.

The Dutchman never looked like a comfortable fit in Mourinho's team - much like so many of Louis van Gaal's signings, who have been shown the door since his departure.

Photo: Man Utd via Getty Images
Man Utd via Getty Images

Blind joined Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay in heading for the exit.

Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Anthony Martial would have joined that list if Mourinho had been able to secure his key transfer targets in the last window.

Van Gaal was ruthless with his own signings, too.

Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao lasted a season each. Victor Valdes was gone within months.

Wayne Rooney - handed a five-and-a-half-year contract just two months before David Moyes was sacked - was an expensive hangover of the Scot's short-lived reign for the two men who succeeded him.

Mourinho, meanwhile, saw enough of Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the space of 18 months to know he wouldn't cut it at Old Trafford.

The club's record signing Paul Pogba is a continued source of concern , while Mourinho's desperation to secure a world class centre back only highlighted the deficiencies of the two defenders he's already signed since taking over in 2016.

Woodward has allowed himself to be led by his managers and ended up with a squad still heavily reliant on the players signed by Ferguson and that has been left in the wake of Manchester City.

No comparison can be made between the Manchester rivals without taking into consideration the spectacular spending of City under Abu Dhabi ownership.

Since 2010 they've spent £1.3bn in transfer fees, compared to United's £980m.

But their most recent success under Pep Guardiola has come as a result of the 'holistic' approach adopted by chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

Even under Manuel Pellegrini, players were being signed with a view to Guardiola's eventual arrival, such as Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.

At United it's been a case of ripping up the manual once the next man gets his feet under the desk.

Which is why this summer represented such a significant shift.

Mourinho was happy to sell Martial and replace him with 29-year-old Perisic (below) or 30-year-old Willian.

Photo: Reuters
REUTERS

Woodward wanted to protect his investment in a player, who could develop into one of the finest attackers in the world long after Mourinho has departed.

It echoed the attitude towards Luke Shaw - even when the England defender was left on the fringes last season.

Likewise, United have issued a firm 'not for sale' stance over Pogba, despite the tensions between the Frenchman and his manager.

While Mourinho's frustration is wholly understandable as he tries to produce a winning team right now - Woodward's determination to stop the churn and build for the long term is also commendable.

The appointment of a director of football is intended to do just that.

Whether that person can work with Mourinho, is another matter entirely.

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