Jason Wilcox Reveals Manchester United’s Rebuild Plan

‎Director of football Jason Wilcox says Manchester United is constructing a selfless, hardworking squad for Ruben Amorim, rather than assembling a flashy, overskilled side like “the Harlem Globetrotters.”

‎United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their lowest top-flight position since 1974, and also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, as pressure mounted on everyone connected with the club.

‎United’s squad has since undergone a refresh, with high-profile names like Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford leaving as Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens arrived.

‎Amorim’s revamped side sits eighth in the table, just two points behind second-placed Manchester City, following summer signings that Wilcox believes will aid their push back toward the top.

‎“It is so important (to sign the right characters),” he told the Inside Carrington podcast.

‎“I think you have to bring players in that bring something different to the changing room.

‎“But the most important thing is that, whenever we bring in a player they have to want to improve, and they have to be a team player and understand what it means to be part of a successful team.

‎“It’s not about putting the Harlem Globetrotters together. If I look at successful Man United teams, some very functional players would die for the badge and there were some mavericks.

‎“You talk about (Eric) Cantona, but when you hear anybody talk about him he was an ultimate professional.”

‎Wilcox praised United’s four major signings, highlighting the immediate impact of forwards Cunha and Mbeumo and the long-awaited addition of talented goalkeeper Lammens, identified by scout Tony Coton.

‎He commended the club’s careful planning and recruitment strategy aimed at balancing short-term success with long-term stability.

‎United remain focused on building a squad capable of celebrating their 150th anniversary in 2028 by winning the Premier League title.

‎“Last year’s summer window was a lot more chaotic than this one,” Wilcox said.

‎“This one was really calm. We knew the plan, we knew which players we were going to target, we had our lists, and we knew which areas of the pitch we needed to improve.

‎“These are continuous meetings with myself and Ruben, with (director of recruitment) Chris Vivell, with his team underneath, where we’re very clear on the profiles that we need. So the brief will come from me and Ruben, and it goes to Chris.

‎“A lot of debate and discussion around the profiles of what we need, and then the scouts will go into the market, we will combine that with the data team and there will just be constant dialogue.

‎“Right now, I’m having weekly meetings with the recruitment team on the different profiles, the age bracket, and the cost. Are they attainable? With Ruben as well, so it is a really joined-up approach.

‎“When we sign a player, there are so many people that are involved in the process. The data team is involved in the process, and we will then focus all our attention on certain players.

‎“It’s really important then that we do the background checks on whether they are clean-living professionals.”