For years, United have been guilty of panic buys. The infamous signing of Antony for a massive fee, far higher than his market value, is still fresh in the memory. The club acted in desperation, overpaying because they lacked proper planning. Then there’s Casemiro — a world-class player at his peak, no doubt, but arriving in the twilight of his career on a contract that handed him an enormous payday. His first season brought stability, but his decline has been rapid. These kinds of short-term, overpriced deals have left United bloated with contracts they can’t shift and players they can’t rely on.
This time, under INEOS’s stewardship, the decision was made not to repeat the same mistakes. Without European football, the revenue streams are already limited. The club cannot afford to waste money on players who don’t fit the long-term plan. Yes, it hurts not to see a new midfielder arrive, especially when the squad is clearly lacking balance, but there is also a sense that this is the first time in years United are thinking beyond the next six months.
The difference between INEOS and the Glazers is night and day. For nearly two decades, the Glazers bled the club dry. Instead of reinvesting profits into infrastructure, scouting, or smart transfers, they saddled the club with debt and milked it for dividends. Their model was short-term gain at the expense of long-term sustainability. Once Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, the truth came crashing down. Ferguson had been a genius at papering over cracks, winning titles with squads that were far from perfect. Without him, the rot was exposed. Poor recruitment, a lack of football vision, and an outdated structure sent the club spiraling into mediocrity.
INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team, seem determined to reverse that trend. They have made it clear that United will no longer throw money at problems just to please fans on social media. Instead, the approach is cautious: wait for the right player, even if that means short-term pain. That philosophy has frustrated some supporters, but it is the only way to build a sustainable, competitive football club in the modern era.
It’s easy to criticize decisions from the outside, especially when transfer windows close without addressing obvious needs. But what some fans don’t realize is that overspending now could cripple the club’s ability to make the right moves later. Signing the wrong midfielder in desperation would not only cost a fortune but also block opportunities when the right player becomes available.
That’s why it’s frustrating to see sections of the fanbase lap up the takes of faceless online accounts who thrive on negativity. These so-called “influencers” spread doom and blame, shaping opinions without context. They paint INEOS as no different from the Glazers, which simply isn’t true. Believing them is the definition of delusion. Football isn’t about instant gratification — it’s about building a structure, sticking to principles, and making the right moves at the right time.
So yes, you can be both disappointed and hopeful. Disappointed that the midfield hole remains unfilled, but hopeful that United are finally learning from their past mistakes. For the first time in years, there is a sense that the people in charge actually have a long-term plan. And maybe, just maybe, that discipline will pay off.
