Jason Wilcox reveals how Manchester United recruitment works

Manchester United are showing clear signs of becoming more organised and efficient in the transfer market.

The squad is developing under Ruben Amorim, with a focus on consistency, cohesion, and long-term planning.

Fans have noticed the club’s improved approach to recruitment and the calm professionalism around player signings this season.

The integration of scouting, data analysis, and management input is creating a sharper, more targeted strategy at Old Trafford.

And now, United’s director of football has opened up about exactly how the process works behind the scenes.

Jason Wilcox provided a fascinating insight into the club’s transfer procedures during an appearance on the new podcast series, Inside Carrington.

Jason Wilcox spoke openly about the continuous improvements being made at Manchester United.

When asked to describe how recruitment works, to the extent he is comfortable with, Wilcox reflected on his 18 months of work at the club.

“Last year’s summer window [2024] was a lot more chaotic than this one and this one was really calm,” he explained.

“With this one, we knew the plan, we knew which players we were going to target, we had our lists, we knew which areas of the pitch we needed to improve.”

“These are continuous meetings with myself and Ruben [Amorim], with Chris Vivell and with his team underneath, where we are very clear on the profiles that we need.

“So, the brief will come from myself and Ruben, it goes into Chris, there is a lot of debate and discussion around the profiles that we need, and then the scouts will go into the market, we will combine that with the data team and then there will just be constant dialogue.”

“Right now, I am having weekly meetings with the recruitment team on the different profiles, the age bracket, the cost, are they attainable, with Ruben as well, so it is a really joined-up approach.”

“When we sign a player, there are so many people that are involved in the process.

“The data team are involved in the process and we will then focus all our attention on certain players.”

“It is really important then that we do the background checks on whether they are clean-living professionals. This is really important.”

United signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens this season, all possessing the right mindset, and players of this calibre are exactly what the club looks for.

Manchester United are steadily refining their recruitment to ensure that every signing fits the club’s culture, ambition, and long-term plans.