Manchester United insider reveals the details behind Lammens' transfer, with a former Ferguson protege acting as the key scout! Unveiling Amorin’s recruitment strategy

Manchester United’s Sporting Director Jason Wilcox gave an interview to the club’s official site this week, stressing that there is a clear strategy for the future and that investment will continue in Rúben Amorim’s team to become serious challengers again in the Premier League and Champions League.

Wilcox said, "We have a clear plan, we know what actions to take, and we are aware of the areas in the squad that need strengthening. To break into the top four, consistently compete for Champions League spots, win the Champions League, and secure the Premier League title, we must invest in the squad. We are pleased with the current situation but recognize there is room for growth. And you know, players are never satisfied, Rúben is never content, and neither will I stop pushing — that’s our style, always striving for improvement. Anyone working at Manchester United should think this way, and indeed they do; every day we work hard to meet these standards."

The Manchester United executive highlighted that the club now looks beyond just players’ abilities in the transfer market, placing great importance on character and lifestyle. "Last summer’s window was far more chaotic than this one," Wilcox noted, "This window has been very calm. We have a list and a clear understanding of which positions need upgrading on the pitch. We must sign the right players — those with talent but also the resilience and leadership qualities to drive the team forward. It’s not enough to just sign elite players; they must have the right character and bring something unique to the squad."

Wilcox revealed that the club’s atmosphere has become very positive. "When I look at the parking lot now, with a 9:45 AM check-in time, you’ll see players arriving at 8:30 or 8:45, ready for training. That’s a good sign. The mood on the training ground hasn’t really changed, nor has the intensity or the shouting, regardless of wins or losses. Losing a match is very disappointing and frustrating, but once you step onto the training field, you can feel their character and team spirit, sense the positive energy growing, and we just need to maintain that momentum."

He expressed satisfaction with the summer signings Cunha, Mbemo, Sessko, and Lammens. "The lads have adapted extremely quickly, especially Matheus (Cunha) and Brian (Mbemo), who had previous Premier League experience and have lived in the UK, so their adjustment was faster. I believe Benjamin (Sessko) and Sena (Lammens) have also settled in very well. We are very pleased. They are all young players representing the future but have integrated excellently. We are optimistic that Manchester United is moving in the right direction. There will be bumps along the way, but we must ensure that no matter how noisy the outside world gets, we stay calm."

Wilcox added, "I watch training every day and see their intensity, the way they train, their commitment, communication, and how they interact with each other. As I said, losing football matches is always a bit disappointing, especially at Manchester United. The defeat to Brentford was particularly frustrating because the team’s performance was very poor, but in all other games, I think Manchester United has had some excellent moments showing progress. We just need to keep this momentum: don’t get overconfident when winning, and don’t get too down when losing. We know we are improving. Looking at the chances we create, the team is only just beginning to capitalize on them, so we must maintain this momentum. We have achieved three consecutive wins, next we aim for four. The only way to bring the club back to its peak is by raising standards. The players and Rúben work hard on this every day."

The summer’s most expensive signing, striker Sessko at €85 million, has faced some criticism for scoring only 2 goals in 11 appearances. Wilcox defended him, saying, "If Benjamin reaches his full potential, he will become an outstanding player. Playing as a number 9 at Manchester United is not easy. I know Matheus and Brian sometimes receive a lot of praise, but Benjamin’s movement also helps them. All four new signings have performed very well and are top professionals."

Goalkeeper Lammens, signed for £18 million, might prove to be the best value for money. Wilcox revealed that a former Ferguson coach now working as a scout was the mastermind behind this deal. "Tony Cotton recommended Lammens to me a year ago and was persistent. This player could become one of our top signings. He’s had a strong start but must keep it up. The young man is thoughtful and extremely professional in his attitude."

Cotton was Schmeichel’s backup during his playing days; he joined Manchester United from Manchester City in 1996 but never played a match. His career ended due to injury, and in 1997 he became Ferguson’s goalkeeping coach, a role he held for 10 years. In 2020, Cotton returned to Manchester United as a goalkeeping scout. However, the signing of André Onana was unrelated to Cotton; it was widely known to be a direct request from Ten Hag’s inner circle.

Regarding Manchester United’s upcoming transfer plans, Wilcox stated, "Currently, I meet weekly with the transfer team to discuss various players’ attributes, ages, wage demands, and feasibility. Rúben is also involved. When we sign players, it’s a truly collaborative process involving many people, including the data team. Moving forward, we will focus all our attention on certain players and conduct thorough background checks to ensure they are professionals with good lifestyles. This is crucial."

He added, "Most importantly, whoever we bring in must have the desire to improve, possess team spirit, and understand what it means to be part of a successful team. We are not building a Harlem Globetrotters squad. If you look back at the successful Manchester United teams of the past, you’ll find that besides having standout stars, there were also very grounded players willing to dedicate themselves to the club badge. For example, the King of Old Trafford, Cantona — he was not only skillful but, if you ask his teammates, also the ultimate professional."

Wilcox concluded, "We need to continue fostering the team spirit and develop it based on Rúben’s ideas, as he has a clear vision. His tactics are far more flexible than people imagine. We must start from the ultimate goal, understand the style of play, and appreciate Manchester United’s identity — this is very important. We have to integrate all components. It’s like a puzzle; we want to gather all the pieces to present a beautiful picture. There will inevitably be losses along the way, and people will question, but Rúben, Omar (Belada), and the club’s owners are very clear about the future direction, and that is what matters most."