Man Utd CEO Berrada: Stick to Transfer Plan, Avoid Overpaying

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada says the club must stick to its plan and not overpay in the transfer market this summer.

United are just emerging from the issues created by spending vast sums on transfer fees and wages for the likes of Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek.

The club feel they got their approach to transfers, with the increased use of data, spot on 12 months ago when they moved quickly to bring in Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford early in the summer, before signing striker Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens at the end of the window.

All four made a positive impact as United finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in three years.

"The template for what we did last summer will be replicated," said Berrada on United's Inside Carrington podcast., external

"You never know how you will come out of a window. You have to be really prepared, you have to have a clear plan, you have to know what positions you want to strengthen and you also have to be prepared for any eventuality.

"There could be exits you weren't expecting or opportunities that weren't there at the beginning of the window. We have to be agile and flexible.

"We have a clear plan. [Director of football] Jason Wilcox and his team are well set up to execute that plan.

"What we saw last season is a good way forward for us.

"We want a mix of experience and youth. A mix of players who have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and players that are doing very well outside the Premier League.

"Whatever decisions we take will not just be for the short term but the long term."

Old Trafford chiefs are gearing up for the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Ederson early next month after United agreed a £35m deal with Italian club Atalanta for the 26-year-old, who will have his medical shortly before the start of pre-season training.

United are still looking to bring in at least one, and potentially two more central midfielders – and hold a strong interest in West Ham's £80m-rated Mateus Fernandes.

They also want striker back-up for Sesko and a left-sided player, potentially to compete with Luke Shaw at full-back given Patrick Dorgu is viewed as more of an attacking player by head coach Michael Carrick.

In addition to Wilcox, director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and director of negotiations Matt Hargreaves will all be heavily involved, plus Berrada.

What club sources have stressed they will not do is overpay, which is why they would back away from paying £120m for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson.

"We have to be really disciplined. We have a plan, we know what we can invest and we need to stick to it," he said.

"In some cases, we may decide to make an investment knowing it is the right thing, not for the next two or three years but the next 10.

"Clearly, we need to stay very focused on what we are trying to achieve. It's very important you don't let the market or the agents dictate what we should be doing."