Manchester United Director of Football, Jason Wilcox, was left astonished by the club’s dire status when he joined in April 2024.
The Farnworth native is currently MUFC’s top official when it comes to transfer dealings. He was largely praised for his work on the market this summer, as he managed to recruit Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens, while offloading unwanted players, mainly Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana.
Many have also pointed out that the 54-year-old’s work in the summer of 2024 had gone under the radar, as he helped the club make important acquisitions, like Leny Yory and Matthijs de Ligt.
Jason Wilcox asks for time to change Man United’s fortunes
Unfortunately for the director, United’s slow start to the campaign has put him and his work under great scrutiny. While Ruben Amorim has been placed in the spotlight, with recent reports claiming he’s facing the sack, Wilcox is also feeling the heat, as suggested by his own words.
The former Southampton and Man City official is urging INEOS to give him and his collaborators sufficient time, as he remains adamant that his project will eventually succeed.
“I just pray that we get the opportunity to turn it around and I really feel that it’s not will we win again, it’s when we’ll win again,” said Wilcox in a Q&A at a gala dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Association of Manchester United Players (via Sky Sports).
Jason Wilcox was surprised by Man United’s deep troubles
The Football Director also admitted that he found the club in a miserable state when he first joined them a year and a half ago.
While Wilcox was aware of some of the issues that have been plaguing Man Utd over the years, he claims he was stunned by the magnitude of their problems.
“It has been a rollercoaster! I came in last April, around 18 months ago, and it’s been a real challenge, I can’t lie.
“I thought the club was in a much better place than it was. We had no football identity, we lacked alignment between ownership, the CEO, football and the academy and we’ve just been working so hard behind the scenes.”
