A Recruitment Nightmare Continues

Manchester United's ongoing struggles in player recruitment have been brought to the forefront, and the new ownership by Ineos is under scrutiny following a staggering assessment of the team's current roster.

Overspending and Underperformance

Critics have long pointed to the club's disastrous spending habits since the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite Ineos's commitment to bolster the squad under coach Ruben Amorim, the expected transformation on the pitch is yet to materialize.

This summer, United splurged nearly £200 million on four major signings, with the only significant exit being Marcus Rashford, whose departure won’t yield profits until next year.

A Dramatic Drop in Squad Value

The alarming figures surrounding United's squad have revealed the club is experiencing the most significant decline in value across the Premier League. According to Sky Sports and Transfermarkt, the squad's assembly cost a staggering £1.1 billion, yet its current worth has plummeted to just £769 million.

This £323 million deficit raises serious concerns about either the club's excessive spending or the shocking depreciation of player values post-signing.

Struggling to Sell Effectively

Unlike rivals such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, who successfully capitalize on player sales, United appears unable to move on first-team players effectively. They are consistently selling players for far less than their actual market value.

For example, Rashford’s buy option of £26 million is a drastic fall from his previous worth of over £100 million just a few seasons ago.

Missed Opportunities and Regrets

Recent talk suggests that young talent Kobbie Mainoo could be sold for £45 million, despite being one of the most promising graduates in recent years. The timing of these sales has also been a recurring issue, with the club often clinging to players too long or shying away from cashing in when the value is high, resulting in regrettable losses.

As Ineos navigates these turbulent waters, critical eyes remain on whether they can reverse this trend and lead Manchester United back to prominence in the Premier League.