REVEALED: Man United ‘had no appetite’ to duel with Daniel Levy over Harry Kane, failed to take their chance with Jude Bellingham, and even WALES could see Tyrell Malacia’s flaws… as Sir Jim Ratcliffe eyes a total transfer overhaul at Old Trafford

• Man United have made several mistakes in the transfer market over recent times 
• The likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho have failed to live up to their price tags 
• Man Utd are NOT good enough to have a ball-playing keeper – It’s All Coming Up 

Manchester United football director John Murtough has reportedly been heavily criticised for his role in several successful and failed transfer pursuits at the club in recent times.

Murtough, who first moved to Old Trafford in 2013 when he was appointed as director of football development, was promoted to his current position in 2021.

However, during that time United have made several big money signings for limited success, including Jadon Sancho’s £73milllion move and Antony’s £85.5m arrival from Ajax. Elsewhere, although Casemiro enjoyed an impressive debut season after his £60m signing from Real Madrid, questions have been raised about handing a four-year contract worth £350,000-per-week to a 30-year-old. 

Mail Sport also reported last month how Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s pending plans to complete a radical overhaul of United‘s football department have been welcomed by Erik ten Hag, who has grown frustrated by the club’s business.

Mail Sport similarly reported how during the pursuit of Rasmus Hojlund, Murtough – who was joined in a meeting with Atalanta by chief transfer negotiator Matt Hargreaves – had begun it by expecting to pay no more than £45m for the striker, but concluded with them reaching agreement on a deal that could see the fee rise to £72m. 

Man United football director John Murtough has been heavily criticised for his role in transfers

If Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s pending deal to purchase 25 per cent of the club goes through, the British billionaire will take charge of and complete a radical overhaul of United’s football department

Ahead of Jude Bellingham’s £113m move to Real Madrid, there were doubts about the way Murtough was selling United to the midfielder

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And now, in a further report from The Athletic, some of Murtough’s other failings in the transfer market have been revealed.

When Jude Bellingham was on the move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, it was acknowledged that it was always going to be a tough ask to convince the English midfielder to join United in favour of Real Madrid.

Bellingham eventually moved to the Spanish giants for £113m, but was linked with pretty much every major European club including United – who were also in for the midfielder when he joined Dortmund as a 17-year-old in 2020.

However, this summer, the report claimed some of those involved in the attempts to convince Bellingham to move to Old Trafford had doubts about the way Murtough was selling the club to the 20-year-old. 

Meanwhile, Harry Kane has enjoyed a stellar start to life in Germany since his £86.4m move from Tottenham, scoring a remarkable 19 goals in 15 games.

However, The Athletic also claim Ten Hag was keen to bring in the England captain, but figures at the club such as Murtough were wary of becoming involved in a potentially complicated and prolonged transfer saga with Spurs chairman and renowned tough negotiator Daniel Levy.

United badly struggled last season in attack, with Burnley outcast Wout Weghorst joining on loan in January, but he scored just twice in 31 appearances in all competitions.

Erik ten Hag was also keen to bring in Harry Kane, who has gone onto shine for Bayern Munich

However, figures at the club were wary of being dragged into a transfer saga with Daniel Levy

Again, this summer, United spent the aforementioned £72m on a highly-promising, but unproven striker in Hojlund, with the Dane still yet to score a Premier League goal. 

Elsewhere, The Athletic also recounted a story from two Nations League clashes in June 2022 when Wales were taking on the Netherlands.

The report claims Rob Page’s side had identified the left wing back in the Dutch team as a potential weakness, with a particular focus on his lack of physicality.

As a result, they planned to utilise Brennan Johnson, who was playing on the right side of attack, as much as possible.

The left wing back referred to was Tyrell Malacia and therefore several Welsh figures were left shocked when he moved to United from Feyenoord for £13m just a few weeks later.

A few weeks before Tyrell Malacia joined the club for £13m in July 2022, Wales had reportedly identified the Dutch left back as a potential weakness ahead of two Nations League games

Despite Ratcliffe’s impending acquisition of a 25 per cent, the Glazers remain majority owners

It must be noted that the Netherlands did win both the games, 2-1 and 3-2, while Malacia enjoyed a solid debut season, but again that move highlights the lack of clarity at Old Trafford. 

While Murtough is not solely responsible for each transfer move, he is ultimately the man who is in charge of creating a coherent footballing plan for success at the club and it remains to be seen what happens with his role if Ratcliffe does take over the footballing operations. 

United – who sit six points off the top four despite having lost five of their 11 games this season – return to action when they entertain Luton on Saturday afternoon.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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