Manchester United are looking for a strong summer of recruitment but tales of missed opportunities are now emerging.
When Ineos came on board at Old Trafford, the establishment of a real football structure was absolutely imperative.
Manchester United simply had to bring in experienced operators in order to take the club forward.
This was often overlooked by the Glazers but Ineos have started building a team with real experience in key roles.
Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox, Dan Ashworth and Christopher Vivell have all been with major clubs in the past and know what success looks like in the modern game.
These appointments will hopefully take United forward in the coming years after many stories of the club’s failings in the transfer market.
Manchester United dodged Maximo Perrone move
United fans are probably sick of hearing tales of how United came close to signing the likes of Erling Haaland, Moises Caicedo and Jude Bellingham.
Missing out on those three was a real stinger for United and The Athletic have now noted a number of other misses.
They note that United had chances to land the likes of Pedro Neto, Jamal Musiala and Benjamin Sesko, as well as Liverpool talent Stefan Bajcetic.
Some of those are more frustrating than others and United even backed away from signing Maximo Perrone.
That name may not mean much to United fans but the midfielder was emerging as a real talent in his native Argentina with Velez Sarsfield.
It’s suggested that Perrone was ‘extensively assessed’ by United and a deal looked possible during the January 2023 transfer window.
However, United ‘hesitated’ over a deal and Perrone joined United despite doubts over his pathway to first-team football at the Etihad Stadium.
The argument inside United is that, if Perrone had been signed, then short-term deals for Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst would not have been possible.
Butland offered depth in goal and Weghorst played regularly during his loan spell at the club, so United prioritised immediate needs rather than a talent for the future in Perrone.
Who is City midfielder Perrone?
If United fans aren’t too aware of Perrone, that is probably because he has only played twice for City since his £8million move.
The midfielder impressed Pep Guardiola, who branded Perrone ‘very impressive’ after an appearance against Bournemouth.
That didn’t hand Perrone a first-team role though and he spent last season on loan at La Liga side Las Palmas.
Perrone will return to City this summer with the Argentina Under-20 international looking to catch Guardiola’s eye.
Perrone certainly has potential but it’s difficult to call him a major transfer miss for United at this stage in his development.
Hesitating on a deal and seeing him join City would have been frustrating though and United will be hoping that he doesn’t become a star at the Etihad Stadium.
