Man Utd’s eight homegrown signings since 2013 rated as ‘Jim Ratcliffe plans set’
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to revert Manchester United’s primary transfer strategy to homegrown players and build a British core at Old Trafford, according to reports. The INEOS founder is set to inherit sporting control once his £1.3billion agreement for a 25 per cent stake in United is ratified.
And he wants to fix the club’s faltering recruitment across the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement by focusing on signings closer to home.
But how has that strategy worked for United since 2013? Express Sport rates the Red Devils’ eight homegrown recruits during that period…
Luke Shaw – 8
United signed Luke Shaw as an 18-year-old from Southampton in a £30m deal in 2014.
The England international has endured his struggles at the club but has flourished into one of Europe’s best left-backs.
Now 28, Shaw is one of Erik ten Hag’s dressing room leaders, and United’s investment nine years ago has ultimately come good.
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Daniel James – 7
Daniel James gets a high rating simply for allowing United to take advantage of the British transfer market.
United signed James from Swansea City for £15m in 2019, but he ultimately wasn’t of the required quality, registering nine goals and nine assists in 74 appearances.
Rivals Leeds United made the transfer worthwhile financially, though, splashing £25m on the 26-year-old winger two years later.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
The jury is still out on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, which is a bizarre statement to make when he’s four years into his United career.
Wan-Bissaka is undoubtedly one of Europe’s best one-on-one defenders, and he has improved his attacking traits. But the ex-Crystal Palace star has plenty to do to live up to his £50m transfer fee in 2019.
Whether he is productive enough offensively to have a long-term future under Ten Hag remains to be seen. He must be commended for saving his United career after he seemed destined to depart last year, though.
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Harry Maguire – 4
This is harsh. Harry Maguire would justify a slightly higher rating if United hadn’t aimlessly splurged £80m to make him the most expensive defender in history in 2019.
Maguire has enjoyed an unexpected renaissance this season, having played a bit-part role in Ten Hag’s maiden campaign and being stripped of the captaincy in the summer.
But he is the finest example of over-inflated prices in the British transfer market, a brutal trap Sir Jim must avoid.
Jadon Sancho – 2
Jadon Sancho was the subject of a similarly huge outlay, setting United back £73m in 2021. But he is even further away from justifying that price than Maguire.
The 23-year-old has produced just 12 goals and six assists in 82 games, becoming one of the latest exciting attackers to flop at Old Trafford.
He was absent for months last season and has been missing for just as long this term, but this time through banishment after effectively calling Ten Hag a liar on social media. He’ll likely leave in January.
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Jonny Evans – 6
Jonny Evans returning to United on a permanent basis in 2023 was on nobody’s bingo card, even while he was training with the club in pre-season.
But it actually… hasn’t been an awful decision. Ten Hag has utilised Evans more than expected due to Lisandro Martinez’s continued injury woes. He has deputised admirably.
The 35-year-old won’t be at the club beyond this season, but he hasn’t put much of a foot wrong when handed an opportunity as a left-sided centre-back.
Mason Mount – 3
It’s hard to judge how successful the £60m deal to bring Mason Mount from Chelsea in the summer will be in the long-term. But early signs raise serious questions.
Mount was entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, so his large transfer fee suggested he was set for a prominent role.
But between two separate injuries since his arrival, the 24-year-old had to watch Scott McTominay restore his starting status from the bench. When he’s been on the pitch, his role has been unclear. Early days, though.
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