Manchester United achieved a real breakthrough in the Ineos project on Friday, securing the services of Southampton’s Jason Wilcox.
Ineos are looking to improve every aspect of the club and finding key appointments to take United forward.
That was shown earlier this year as United raided rivals Manchester City for CEO Omar Berrada.
United have also targeted a deal for Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth but that deal has proven to be pretty difficult.
Ineos have though secured Wilcox after weeks of speculation surrounding a move for the Southampton man.
Wilcox has been appointed as United’s technical director and joins the club with immediate effect after compensation was agreed with the Saints.
Ineos are now targeting other deals and it looks like another off-field arrival is imminent.
Manchester United accelerate Sam Williams return
United have been targeting a move to bring Ipswich Town’s Sam Williams back to the club.
Williams previously worked as an analyst and youth scout at United before becoming Ipswich’s chief scout in 2022, reuniting with Kieran McKenna.
United want Williams back though and The Athletic noted in February that Williams was coming back to Old Trafford in an academy scouting role.
The Sun claimed in March that United would have to wait until after the summer transfer window to bring Williams back due to a six-month period gardening leave.
There is good news though as, just after securing Wilcox, The Sun’s Alan Nixon now claims that Williams is returning to United at the start of May.
United have allegedly ‘done a deal’ to accelerate Williams’ arrival, seemingly agreeing to pay compensation to get the deal brought forward.
Williams has played an important in Ipswich’s rise over the last couple of years and the Tractor Boys could now join United in the Premier League.
Ineos deals still to be done
United continue to look for key appointments and Ashworth is the most important one.
Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave at Newcastle ahead of his expected move to United.
Agreeing compensation has been difficult though and reports in March suggested that United are expecting to land Ashworth for much less than the £20million initially demanded.
United may also land a head of recruitment as reports in March suggested that a move for Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman was being launched.
Those rumours have slowed down in recent weeks though and it’s unclear whether Freedman is still in the plans.
It’s great to see United focusing on landing proven football operators for the big roles at Old Trafford and we would expect there to be more moves to come.