Reporter: Manchester United s negotiation method changed last year, and it is necessary to end the "Manchester United tax" era

June 15 ESPN reporter Rob Dawson wrote an article saying that Manchester United began to take new measures in the transfer market last summer to try to end the era of "Manchester United tax".

When Ed Woodward was in charge of Manchester United's transfer affairs as executive vice chairman, he never concealed his preference for the contract with the termination clause, because it made his job much easier. This has also become one of the reasons why Griezmann is very popular in the summer of 2017. He only needs to pay a penalty of 100 million euros to take the French international away from Atletico Madrid, and all parties have a clear position.

Although the deal was eventually shelved because then-head coach Mourinho chose to prioritize other positions, the possibility of operation always exists until the transfer window is closed. For Woodward, such transactions can be executed as a standardized process of "paying money with one hand and the other hand".

Although Woodward has resigned in 2022, he may have a knowing smile when he saw Manchester United signing for the first time this summer. Cunha will join the termination fee clause of £62.5 million, and the transfer will be officially completed after the international match day. Manchester United coach Amorin values ​​the outstanding performance of the Brazilian as an internal striker in the 3-4-3 system and the efficiency of Premier League goals. For CEO Bellada and football negotiation director Matt Hargreaves, the fixed terms without bargaining greatly reduced the complexity of negotiations. The two sides only negotiated on the payment cycle. Manchester United proposed to change it to 4 years after five-year installments. Wolves insisted on paying it within two years and finally reached an agreement on June 1, confirming the efficiency of such transactions.

As shown in the Griezmann case back then, the termination fee mechanism allows Manchester United to clarify the operation path. But Woodward knows this is not an abnormal attitude. He often complains to his colleagues about the "Manchester United tax" in the transfer market, that is, the premium cost of traditional giants, and former football director John Mertov also feels the same.

This kind of wealth discrimination is not unique to Manchester United, and Newcastle is troubled by inflated players' quotations due to Saudi background. Although it is difficult to quantify and confirm, Manchester United has indeed fallen into the premium trap again and again. At the end of the summer window of 2022, the management spent more than 150 million pounds to sign Casemiro and Anthony in a panic manner due to the dilemma of Tenghach's early takeover. Now the transaction is internally regarded as a double failure of salary and transfer fees. In 2023, Manchester United introduced Hoylen with a total price of over 70 million pounds. It is reported that the original valuation of the transaction is 40 million, and it is claimed that it will not exceed 60 million in negotiations. The Danes have not yet proved that it matches its value.

Last summer window, policy changed significantly, and Manchester United decisively withdrew from negotiations due to Everton's inflated price tag of Branswitter. This is exactly the first transfer window led by Berrada. During his tenure at Manchester City, he was accustomed to giving up the goal of unreasonable asking price.

According to ESPN, despite financial pressure, Manchester United has reserved operational space for new players through measures such as salary cuts (including Ratcliff's layoff plan). However, the new season of missing the European Cup requires disciplined spending. If the target player's valuation is too high, the Bellada team will not hesitate to turn to alternatives.

Insiders revealed that Brentford's Mbemo is Manchester United's first choice, but the Red Devils refused to break the preset price ceiling. The club's alternatives include Bournemouth's Semeno and Crystal Palace's Eze.

After setting a worst league record in more than 50 years, Manchester United's path to revival is largely due to the success or failure of the transfer this summer. The Bellada team is trying to balance revenue and expenditure on fiscal wires. By eliminating historical errors to build a lineup in the right direction, the era of Manchester United tax must end because the club can no longer afford such additional expenses.