Manchester United ‘only paid the full asking price for one of their five summer signings’ thanks to work done by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘Avengers’

Manchester United reportedly only paid the full asking price for one of their five summer signings.

United brought in forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £36.5million, while defender Leny Yoro arrived from Lille in a £52m deal.

In addition, defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both joined from Bayern Munich in a £60m double signing before midfielder Manuel Ugarte signed from PSG on deadline day for £50.5m.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘Avengers’, comprised of CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, helped United to have more power when negotiating deals, with director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves also playing a key part.  

United boss Erik ten Hag was eager for reinforcements in various areas of the pitch.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Avengers, including CEO Omar Berrada, oversaw United’s transfer business

According to ESPN, Yoro, who joined from Lille for £52million, was the only player that United paid the full asking price for this summer.

Explaining United’s approach, Berrada told ESPN: ‘We were quite disciplined about the valuations we were giving to the players who were going to come in.

‘We stuck to those valuations. The reason I mention that is if you make a mistake and overspend, or get a player who can cost you too much, it can set you back.’ 

De Ligt and Mazraoui joined in a double deal worth £60million, Zirkzee cost £36.5million and Ugarte arrived for £50.5million. 

United were concerned about the ongoing financial impact of the signings of Casemiro and Antony in 2022, with United paying more than £80million for the latter.

United targeted Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who they valued at between £50million and £60million. After the Toffees quoted a fee of £75million, United ended up walking away from the deal.

Had Everton reduced their demands, United would have pushed ahead with a deal for the centre-back.

Leny Yoro, who cost £52m from Lille, was the only played United paid the full asking price for

Defenders Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui arrived at United from Bayern Munich

United also secured the signing of talented young forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna

Midfielder Manuel Ugarte signed for United from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day

Berrada was pleased with the players that United brought in and how negotiations were overseen.

He said: ‘We need to be doing more of what we have done in this window. We have addressed priority positions that were identified very early on and we were able to do it in a financially sustainable way. I think Dan and the team did a fantastic job in the negotiations process.’