Manchester United's transfer market moves have been the focus of heated discussions in football in recent years. However, a series of recent reports have made me sigh that behind the glamorous appearance, the Red Devils also have their own difficulties.
It is understood that Manchester United has invested as much as 5£5.5 billion, that number sounds shocking enough. However, the big gamble in the transfer market does not seem to have fully translated into an improvement in the team, but has put the club in financial trouble. Ratcliffe's first summer transfer window after acquiring a stake in Manchester United is a fact of life.
United's fiscal austerity is partly due to restrictions imposed by the Financial Fair Play Act. The bill sounds grandiose, but it is a challenge for a club like Manchester United with a long history and huge spending. If United are unable to secure funding through their players this summer, or fail to qualify for the Champions League, the challenges in the transfer market will be even more severe. After all, the Champions League is not only a symbol of honour, but also a vital source of revenue.
In terms of personnel changes, Ratcliffe seems to have his own plans. The involvement of the INEOS Group has brought new hope to Manchester United, but it has also brought new uncertainties. Although the club wants to strengthen the squad by bringing in a new sporting director and senior player recruitment director, it is all built on a financial basis.
Looking back over the past two summers, Ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's recruitment strategy has been extravagant, but it has also made the club's financial situation even worse. Rather than fully translate into success on the pitch, the huge investment has put the club under pressure from Premier League profits and sustainability regulations.
Manchester United's series of actions is undoubtedly a bet on the future. While the Covid pandemic, the Academy, the women's team and community projects can be deducted from the financial losses, these losses remain a major challenge to the club's long-term development.
As a casual fan, I would prefer to see the club continue to improve on a financially healthy basis, rather than relying solely on high-value transfers to achieve short-term success. After all, the charm of football lies not only in the investment of money, but also in the inheritance of the team's spirit and the support of the fans.
The future for the Red Devils is challenging, but at the same time promising. As fans, we are willing to go through it with the club, whether it's the financial crunch or the ups and downs in the transfer market. After all, they support Manchester United not only because of their victory, but also because of the unchanging spirit of the Red Devils.