Manchester United send message to fans: 'Winning trophies is priority, not money'

United reassured concerned supporters at fans' forum earlier this month

Manchester United have assured supporters that the club’s priority is winning trophies rather than commercial success following a difficult start to the new season.

United fell to their second defeat of the new Premier League campaign on Sunday, losing 2-0 at West Ham United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have picked up just eight points from their opening six games and three adrift of a top-four position.

The poor start follows a summer of discontent among sections of United’s support with the Glazer family’s ownership. United spent £140m in the transfer market on three new signings in Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.

At a fans’ forum held on 13 September, before the 1-0 home victory over Leicester City, United reassured supporters that the club’s focus is on building a successful team.

“Everyone at the club, from the owners down, is focused on competing for and winning trophies at the highest level,” a United spokesperson said.

“To do that, we have invested heavily in the playing squad and will continue to do so. At the same time, the exciting pool of talent coming through from our youth and academy sections is a result of increased investment in this area over the last five years.

“It’s important to note that while our successful commercial operation helps drive that investment, the priority is the focus on achieving success on the pitch. Similarly, it is worth noting that we are not looking at or buying players based on their commercial appeal.

“We agree that recruitment is critical,” the spokesperson added. “We are committed to getting this right and there has been huge investment in this area to put our recruitment department into a position to be able to deliver the manager the players he wants. This process is significantly more effective than four to five years ago.”

United are yet to appoint the club’s first-ever technical director, despite a search which has lasted for almost a year.

The club told those present at the fans’ forum that though they are open to changing the club’s recruitment structure, they are satisfied with the process which brought Maguire, Wan-Bissaka and James to the club this summer.

“We are continually reviewing and looking at the potential to evolve our structure on the football side,” a United spokesperson told fans.

“Much of the speculation around this type of role focuses purely on recruitment. We’ve materially expanded our recruitment department in recent years and we believe this runs in an efficient and productive way.

“Many of the senior staff in these roles have been at the club for over 10 years. Recruitment recommendations and decisions are worked on by this department and the manager and his team, not senior management.

“We feel the players signed this summer demonstrate that this approach is the right one and any future appointment would complement this process. Regarding transfer budget, we have invested significantly in the squad and we will continue to do so.”