Manchester United have had a productive and positive start to the summer transfer window and Erik ten Hag admits some responsibilities have been taken away from him after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover.
Following Ratcliffe’s INEOS firm taking over the Old Trafford club earlier this year, acquiring more than 25% of United and taking over its football operations, this is the first summer transfer window it has been in place for.
A new structure has been implemented off the pitch, with Omar Berrada United’s new chief executive, Jason Wilcox its technical director and Dan Ashworth installed as sporting director.
These new appointments have already born fruit with two new signings unveiled in the early stages of the transfer window.
Joshua Zirkzee was signed from Italian side Bologna for a reported £36.5m, United paying slightly more than his £34m release clause in his contract to stagger the payments over three years, rather than all at once.
And young defender Leny Yoro has joined from Lille, United fighting off interest from Real Madrid to sign the 18-year-old for £52.2m.
United have also been raising funds to pay for these acquisitions by selling members of the current squad.
This includes a £7.5m for Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica, potentially up to £7.6m for Donny van de Beek to Girona, almost £10m for Willy Kambwala to Villarreal, and most recently £26.6m for Mason Greenwood, who has moved to French side Marseille.
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Plenty more movement is anticipated to happen in the transfer market both in and out of Old Trafford before the summer transfer window closes at 11pm on August 30.
This is the first summer where Ten Hag has been operating under the new structure above him put in place by INEOS following their takeover.
Following his contract being extended to the summer of 2026, Ten Hag has revealed certain aspects of his job have been taken away from him, namely a lot of scouting and recruitment responsibilities.
But this is a move which Ten Hag supports, as it allows him greater knowledge of the market.
Speaking to Dutch publication AD, via the Daily Express, he said: “That basis has been greatly strengthened. A lot has been taken away from me in scouting and recruitment. That is necessary.
“You need a very strong structure in scouting and transfer policy. I can only be happy that I have Dan (Ashworth), Jason (Wilcox) and Christopher (Vivell) at my side. The club has acquired incredible know-how and knowledge of the market that helps me.
“We have only been working with these new people for a few weeks but Ashworth is close by – a room away. The new owners take me more into the process. It’s early days but the signs are very good.”