UMVA has learned that Manchester United's transfer strategy has undergone a significant shift, with head coach Michael Carrick no longer having total control over player signings.
Information obtained by UMVA reveals that the club has moved away from the traditional model where the manager dictated transfer strategy and picked targets almost single-handedly. While Carrick has considerable influence, the final say is now a collaborative effort involving the football department, data staff, scouts, and senior executives.
This new approach is a deliberate move away from the days of one powerful manager controlling everything, as clubs now prioritize continuity even if the coach changes. Manchester United has learned from past experiences where signing players for a specific coach created long-term problems when that coach left.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that key figures such as Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada, and Christopher Vivell play major roles in shaping United's transfer strategy. The club is also adopting a more disciplined, data-driven approach, with Vivell central to recruitment work and Berrada emphasizing that agents will not dictate their plans.
While Carrick is not powerless, his role is now more advisory, with the manager still consulted but no longer having the final say. The recent signing of Éderson from Atalanta for an initial £35m is seen as a key addition, and United are still exploring midfield targets such as Aurélien Tchouaméni, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Elliot Anderson.
This collaborative approach is seen as a positive step for Manchester United, allowing Carrick to have a say while preventing any one individual from having too much control. The club's goal is to establish a clear football identity that transcends individual coaches, ensuring a more sustainable and successful future.
