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Solskjær’s refreshing transfer policy has reshaped Manchester United’s squad

Just under fourteen months ago, Manchester United were embarrassed at Goodison Park. They were defeated 4-0 in what was one of the most disorganised and lacklustre performances in the club’s recent memory.

It was the Red Devil’s third defeat in their last five Premier League fixtures, during a time where the ‘honeymoon period’ was fading away from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The manager saw red after the game, claiming that he will be a success at the club, whilst many of the players out on the field would not be.

Fast forward to the present day and United have since moved on eight senior figures [permanently and loan deals], and that’s without counting Marouane Fellaini who was sold in the January prior. A change in the approach of the club’s transfer policies was always going to be an integral part of Solskjaer’s rebuilding job, with the removal of stagnated players being step one in moving towards a brighter future.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez are the two obvious examples, with both player’s attitudes coming under question during their short time at Old Trafford. Names like Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia have also been removed out of the equation this season, creating space for new and improved recruits, alongside some academy prospects.

When analysing those coming through the door under Solskjaer, it can be argued that United have hit a 100% success rate. Each summer arrival has benefited the squad in their own way, also helping create a newly found fresh, young identity at the club. The average age of a permanent signing under the Norwegian has been 23.25, highlighting his long-term vision for the side.

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Such success in the transfer market coincides with the recent restructure behind the scenes. Ed Woodward is no longer involved with transfer recruitment, but instead, an established team has been put in place to identify and scout specific profiles. Long gone are the days of signing a player because of their name, as we have seen through the club’s recent rejection of Philippe Coutinho.

Instead, a distinct philosophy is being put in place. United are prioritising young talents that preferably hold British heritage, whilst also holding flexibility for exceptions, i.e. the top-class Bruno Fernandes and the emergency loan signing of Odion Ighalo. The squad has transitioned remarkably in the space of just twelve months, with each player having formed an understanding of their specific role, whilst simply enjoying representing the badge on their chest.

Ighalo epitomises this latter point, with his sheer desire and passion for United being rewarded with an extension of his loan deal. Solskjaer has been successful in filtering out the negativity in the squad and replacing it with rejuvenated figures – his next task is to elaborate a system that gets these players competing for a league title.

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