The changes introduced by Ineos have swept through Manchester United like a wave.
For the first time in nearly two decades, the Red Devils have a football-focused sporting structure behind the scenes.
Manchester United’s transfer decisions will now be made not by bankers with their sights fixed on profit margins but on genuine recruitment experts, Christopher Vivell joining Jason Wilcox at Old Trafford.
And, in another very welcome break from tradition, United now appear to have unlocked the ability to work on various deals at the same time. Unlike in yesteryear, where the dominoes would fall one by one if at all, United appear to have entered an advanced stage of discussions with three separate transfer targets at the very same time.
United have waited until July for their first signing of the summer. Do not be surprised if three arrive at once after the Euros and the Copa America come to an end; Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte.
Manchester United miss out on Tijjani Noslin
Another feature of the early days under Ineos is how the Premier League giants have managed to conduct some of their dealings under the radar, away from the prying eye of the media. Dan Ashworth’s belated arrival as sporting director came out of the blue on Monday.
Ditto the hiring of new CEO Omar Berrada in February.
Man United’s interest in Tijjani Noslin, meanwhile, also appears to have emerged somewhat out of the spotlight.
Tuttomercatoweb say that United made contact for the Dutch winger last week.
But while the De Ligt, Zirkzee and Ugarte deals look increasingly likely to have a happy ending, this will not be the case with Noslin.
After spending only six months in Italy, a forward who was turning out for Fortuna Sittard in Netherlands as recently as January had little interest in yet another change of scenery. It was not so much Noslin snubbing Man United, as Noslin feeling now was not the right time to head to England.
The appointment of Marco Baroni as Lazio’s new boss also helped to make up his mind, Noslin has followed his former Hellas Verona coach to the Stadio Olimpico.
“SS Lazio announces that it has definitively acquired the sports employment contract of footballer Tijjani Noslin, coming from Hellas Verona FC,” reads a statement on the Bianconeri’s official website.
Lazio still keen on Mason Greenwood
Lazio themselves do not confirm how much has been paid to bring in Noslin.
Tuttomercatoweb, however, believe that the capital city club spent less than the £17 million Manchester United were willing to pay. Hellas likely accepted such an arrangement because of the inclusion of a ten per cent sell on clause in Noslin’s contract, providing the opportunity for a further windfall later down the line.
A right-winger with a penchant for big goals – Noslin scored against Juventus, Inter, Atalanta and Milan during the second half of last term – it is believed that Lazio’s pursuit of Mason Greenwood will not be affected by the Amsterdam-born speedster’s arrival.
Corriere dello Sport claim that Lazio plan to hold further talks with the Man United misfit this week.
