Man Utd's new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sheds light on transfer strategy with Kylian Mbappe comments
Sir Jim Ratcliffe says he would rather unearth the next Kylian Mbappe for Manchester United than spend a fortune on the France forward.
Ratcliffe, whose INEOS company has taken control of football operations at Old Trafford, wants to move away from the approach of trying to buy success, as has been the case under the Glazers.
United have spent more than £1bn on signings since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 but failed to challenge for the Premier League title, coming closest when finishing 12 points behind Man City in 2021/22 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ratcliffe, though, made clear he will not rush plans to return United to the top as he shed light on INEOS' overhaul of the club's recruitment strategy.
"I'd rather find the next Mbappe than spend a fortune trying to buy success," Ratcliffe told The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club Podcast. "It's not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way?
"Anyone could figure that one out. Much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or Jude Bellingham or the next Roy Keane."
Sir Dave Brailsford, the architect of Great Britain's success in cycling, is overseeing the creation of the new-look football operation at Old Trafford and has already brought in Omar Berrada from Man City to become the club's chief executive.
United are also in negotiations with Newcastle about a deal to end Dan Ashworth's gardening leave early so he can become sporting director, although there is yet to be an agreement over a price.
Ratcliffe says getting the right structure in place is the key to solving United's issues in the transfer market.
Asked if he would like to sign Bellingham, Ratcliffe said: "It's not where our focus is, the solution isn't spending a lot of money on a couple of great players. They've done
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