Joel Glazer's at the wheel! Unpopular Man Utd co-chairman 'still actively involved' in transfers despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS' new club setup

Co-chairman Glazer, who shares ultimate responsibility with brother Avram, has been reported by the Manchester Evening News to be "still actively involved in Manchester United's transfer plans". That is even with Ratcliffe and his team from INOES taking over football operations when his buy-in was ratified in early 2024.

Glazer, additionally a co-chairman of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is said to retain a sign-off and the power of veto when it comes to recruitment. There is, however, differing opinions among sources on whether he is "more hands-on" than before or if it is a continuation of how it has always been. Joel and Avram are the Glazer siblings who have had most involvement with United, although the former hasn't attended a game at Old Trafford since 2019.

Joel Glazer's longstanding veto on Manchester United's transfer business is infamous. Successive managers in Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were ready for the club to offlad Anthony Martial in 2018 and 2019 respectively, but Glazer blocked it on both occasions due to his apparent soft spot for the misfiring Frenchman. Although Martial enjoyed a 23-goal season in 2019-20, Martial was released in 2024 after just 90 goals in 317 appearances.

Although results have taken a slight upturn, it is clear that Ruben Amorim lacks the players to play to his system. The Portuguese is adamant that he won't change his principles, so it is down to the club to equip him with more options that do. The January transfer window closes on Monday night and only Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu looks likely to arrive. But even he has seen his medical delayed in order to play for Lecce on Friday night.