Ineos transfer strategy that saw Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven join Man Utd just suffered a blow

Since the Ineos takeover, Manchester United have been focused on trying to recruit some of the world’s best youngsters.

Showing faith in youth is a central pillar to Manchester United’s success and nothing has changed since welcoming Ineos and Ruben Amorim to the club.

Amorim has already given several first-team debuts to academy stars, with Tyler Fredricson becoming the 254th academy debutant last season.

Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven also made their debuts after being signed into United’s academy by Ineos. The duo arrived from Arsenal and are just two of many youth signings made since the takeover.

In the words of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United need to sign the ‘next Mbappe’ and Ineos have been eager to improve the youth recruitment at Carrington.

Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images

Nick Cox exit puts dent in Ineos transfer strategy

There hasn’t been much to celebrate at United over the past 12 months but the Ineos recruitment strategy has shown glimpses of promise, especially when it comes to the academy.

However, academy director Nick Cox is set to leave with Everton offering him a senior role as the club’s Technical Director.

Cox joined United in 2016 and oversaw the academy’s 2022 FA Youth Cup success where the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo made their breakthrough.

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As per The Athletic, Cox was integral to the running of United’s academy since taking over from Nicky Butt, and he played a big role in youth recruitment.

In particular, the report points out that Cox had grown a strong relationship with selling clubs, adding: “We compete and we collaborate,” when asked about working with rival academies.

Everton’s swoop means that United will have to replace Cox as academy director, and Ineos will have to re-work their chain of command when it comes to youth recruitment.

Nick Cox had strong relationship with Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox

The latest boardroom reshuffle at United saw Jason Wilcox promoted to director of football, and he worked closely with Cox in regards to the academy.

Amorim has a great relationship with Wilcox, and it seems United’s new director also shared a strong bond with Cox.

The Athletic report that Cox’s departure has been “totally amicable” and he continues to share a strong relationship with CEO Omar Berrada and Wilcox.

READ MORE: Man United academy has ‘perfect’ policy for young players that is loved by Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford

Cox has agreed to stay on as United’s academy director until a successor has been found.

United have two options – to promote internally as they did when Cox replaced Butt in 2022. Or to look to bring in a highly-rated academy director from elsewhere.

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