Jason Wilcox stresses that signings must have the right character as much as talent
The Manchester United hierarchy will continue to back manager Ruben Amorim in the transfer market as Ineos’s rebuilding project continues, director of football Jason Wilcox has said.
Wilcox said the club have identified important areas that need strengthening and will remain active in upcoming transfer windows to carry on disciplined recruitment.
“We’ve got a clear plan,” said Wilcox. “We know what we have to do and the areas of the team we’ve got to improve.
“For us to consistently challenge for Champions League places, win Champions Leagues, win Premier Leagues, we have to invest in the squad.”
Last summer United focused on their attacking, which the recruitment identified as a problematic area as reflected in the lack of goals in the team. More than £200m was spent to bring in the Premier League-proven Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
Benjamin Sesko was brought in as the final piece of the jigsaw based on his status as one of the most in-demand young forwards in Europe.
The rebuild focused heavily on attack but midfield remains a problem area. Fans expect the club to turn their attention to that next summer. Wilcox said the club were prioritising character as much as talent and that would continue next summer.
“We have got to buy the right players,” said the sporting director. “The right players who are talented but also who can deal with the pressure, who can take the squad forward.
“It is not always about just signing elite talent. They have got to have the right character and be somebody who can bring something different to the team.”
