Manchester United have just announced that Jason Wilcox will be the new technical director, here’s three things to now expect.
Ever since Ineos took over at Manchester United, recruitment within the footballing infrastructure has been placed in position as a top priority.
We saw this when Omar Berrada arrived from Manchester City in late January to become the new CEO.
After this, we’ve heard a lot about who United wanted for the roles of sporting director and also technical director, but none arrived.
This has just changed as on Friday night, United announced that Southampton’s Jason Wilcox had been appointed as the club’s technical director.
This sees him join Berrada as two ex-Man City men now running the show at Carrington.
This appointment is huge, and likely means that at long last, United have someone at the club who can take some charge of the summer transfer window – with Dan Ashworth yet to see a deal agreed over his move.
So now the deal is done, we’ve looked at three things that can now be expected, with the technical director appointed.
Summer plans will now begin to take shape for Manchester United
So the transfer window hasn’t opened yet, but what has been clear is we the Red Devils have tonnes of interest in lots of players.
But that’s the issue, we’re being linked with so many players that it seems impossible that there is a defined recruitment plan as of right now.
This makes sense given John Murtough has left the club and there wasn’t anyone in a position to take direct authority of the summer, at least until Ashworth arrived.
It now could be expected to see some more substantial interest develop and we’ll be given a clearer sign of what we can expect this summer.
It was pivotal to get this deal finished before May arrived so that the summer window could be thought out and now with Wilcox and Berrada, it will be.
Dan Ashworth talks should accelerate
The only position left to fill now will be the sporting director, in which we already know that Ashworth is the top priority and arguably it’s only a matter of time.
Now that Wilcox has arrived, it makes sense that United will be desperate to get Ashworth in sooner rather than later which might see some real developments in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Who is Dan Ashworth? Meet the man who could be set to transform Manchester United
United are known to be very keen on getting Ashworth into the club before the summer in order for him to play the all-important role in recruitment decisions.
Now he’s the only one left to recruit, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Ashworth talks accelerate, even if it means United have to pay the compensation.
Youth will become even more of a priority at United
While being an all-round excellent footballing brain, Wilcox has a special knack for the youth side of the game, which makes him a perfect fit for Old Trafford.
The academy at Carrington is already an incredibly talented group, with the U18s winning their Premier League title during the week.
But Wilcox was one of the men behind the City academy which brought through the likes of Phil Foden, United star Jadon Sancho and also current target Tosin Adarabioyo.
We expect that Wilcox will work closely with Darren Fletcher to add talented youngsters both to the ranks of the academy and also to the first team.
This could make deals for the likes of Aaron Anselmino even more likely than they have seemed in recent weeks.