Xiaoba Yiyanjia|Manchester United transfer inside story: Grief Hoylen Cesco begins a new era of signing

The once indecisive Red Devils seem to have shown a slightly cold efficiency this summer's transfer period, which may also mark the official entry of Manchester United's transfer strategy into the era of pragmatism. TheAthletic author Laurie Whitwell tells the story behind Manchester United's transfer operation this summer.

From many perspectives, Manchester United fully reflects the transfer ideas of Ratcliff's football management team in the transaction between Hoylen and Cesco.

Hoylen originally wanted to stay with Manchester United, where he had been a child, but CEO Bellada, football director Wilcox and head coach Amorin finally decided to sell him to sign a new striker and quickly put the plan into action.

It is hard to imagine that Manchester United's past management would be so decisive to a player who always showed professionalism and professional attitude. Hoylen sees his future through a series of signs: first, in the last match against Everton in the United States, he was abandoned, Cunha served as the single arrow, and he only played for 18 minutes on the bench; then in the friendly match against Fiorentina, he had no chance of getting the entire game; and then in the crucial battle against Arsenal in the first round of the Premier League, he didn't even make the roster. He was also excluded from away games against Fulham and Grimsby Town. During the preseason, Manchester United continuously emphasized the harmonious atmosphere in the team, claiming that all players worked hard to train and implement tactics, but this did not include the "bomb squad" excluded - Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho, Anthony and Maracia. In this case, the rejection that Hoylen encountered was even more ironic. Despite his slightly different situations, he always firmly hopes to fight for his position until the deal with Naples was reached last Saturday. Although he himself did not fully agree to the transfer, he flew to Rome for a medical examination on Sunday.

It was revealed that part of Hoylen's motivation was that he believed he was stronger than the center that Manchester United agreed to pay 85 million euros to introduce. He believes that proving this in training may allow Amorin to reconsider his departure, even if Sesco has joined.

But Manchester United made this decision mainly based on Hoylen's poor performance last season, scoring only 10 goals in 52 games, of which only 4 goals in the Premier League. In the eyes of senior executives, Hoylen represents the past and is a player that Manchester United once introduced at a premium. He was labeled as "signed by his ex-recruitment team", and Zilkze, who joined last summer, did not have such a burden.

Hoilen joined Napoli on loan for 6 million euros for one season, with a buyout clause of 44 million euros. If Napoli qualifies for the Champions League, the clause will be mandatory.

It is said that 22-year-old Hoylen is heartbroken by the end of his Manchester United dream, especially as he was hoping to stay at the team at the beginning of the preseason. This incident shows how decisive and pragmatic Manchester United operates under Ratcliffe, Bellada, Wilcox and Amorin.

However, Manchester United also made some concessions. At a meeting in Chicago during the US trip, Hoylen was told United would look for a new striker, but the club did not directly say he would be sold. The gentle handling of the news is because he is considered a good person. At that time, Manchester United had narrowed their candidates to Sesco and Watkins.

On July 29, Hoylen joined Luke Shaw and Onana to participate in the Chicago Flames community event. He played football with the kids, smiling occasionally, but outside the camera, he looked depressed. That night, Manchester United's intention to advance the transfer of Cesco had become clear.

The next night, Manchester United played against Bournemouth, and Hoylen scored twice, and then took the initiative to find the media in the mixed interview area to express his opinion: "My plan is very clear, that is, stay and fight for his position." Amorin's attitude was vague: "I don't know what will happen until the transfer window is closed."

This tension continued until the last weekend of the transfer window. Hoylen made it clear that his departure was against his wishes. Many clubs including Milan, Leipzig and Inter Milan have a strong interest in him, but he eventually chose Serie A champion Naples and will reunite with Ballon d'Or nominee McTominay. Conte pushed Hoylen's transfer after Lukaku suffered a thigh injury in August. Hoylen smiled as he was welcomed by fans in Italy.

Manchester United chose Cesco, 22, instead of Watkins, 29, for age reasons, and Manchester United also supplemented players with Premier League goals through Cunha and Mbemo. The decision was made collectively, but recruitment director Christopher Viver felt special responsibility for working with Sesco in Salzburg and Leipzig in the past.

When Liverpool began to contact Ekitic, Manchester United did make an inquiry, but it was too late. After Newcastle started negotiations, Manchester United's pursuit of Sesco accelerated.

It was at this stage that Manchester United weighed the introduction of forwards or midfielders and discussed the potential price of the Barleba trade. The choice at that time was to sign a defensive midfielder or center. Some inside the club believe that the midfield should be a priority position, but Wilcox advocates signing a scorer because Manchester United scored only 44 goals in the Premier League last season, and Ratcliff supported the decision.

Manchester United had hoped to sign Drapp from Ipswich town with a 30 million pound termination fee in the early part of the summer window. But Drapp, 22, chose Chelsea and was persuaded to be their regular center, although Manchester United told him that Joao Pedro would also switch to the Blues from Brighton.

Manchester United thinks they have a chance to get Drapp, Berrada and Wilcox met him in Manchester on May 19. But two days later, Manchester United lost the final of the UEFA Cup and missed the Champions League qualification, which is an important factor. Some people also believe that Drapp spent five years at Manchester City and was unwilling to join the city's mortal enemy.. United have planned to sell or deal with Rashford, Garnacho, Anthony, Sancho and Marasia for many months, but only started to work in the last week of the window.

Garacho sold to Chelsea for £40 million, ending the longest-rumored transfer this summer. Garnacho told his friends before the UEFA Cup final that he wanted to go to London and targeted Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea held on until the deadline to pressure Manchester United to lower the initial £70m but followed the window to £50m. Chelsea only provided player exchanges for several weeks, and finally submitted a £25 million offer. Manchester United's negotiations increased, plus a 10% second transfer share.

Manchester United's position was influenced by Amorin, who made it clear that Garnacho was not welcome when he spoke to the players in Carrington the day before the game against Villa and confirmed that he stayed in office. Amorin told Garnacho in front of his teammates: "You'd better have a good agent this summer."

Garnacho's remarks after the Europa League final angered Amorin, but the potential rift has been around for months, dating back to the December victory against Bilson. Amorin felt that Garnacho looked straight ahead when he accepted the order before taking the bench on the 81st minute, and did not listen to him. Four days later, he was left out of the Derby roster with Rashford.

This so-called disrespect is exacerbated by Garnacho's incomplete fit with the Amorin system, despite his 58 appearances last season. Garnacho's social media posts have angered fans, most notably he is wearing Rashford's Villa jersey. He is responding to the feeling that Manchester United pushed him to Villa.

Despite the situation being lower than the market price, Garnacho remains the fourth highest sale in Manchester United history.

His departure was another long-rumored departure, with Anthony joining Real Betis on the deadline. Returning after a successful loan is possible, but Betis waits for the best deal. At some stage of the weekend, despite an agreement on €25 million plus €3 million surcharge, they stopped the transfer due to Anthony's 6 million euro salary payment. The club actually shared the differences and agreed to pay 22 million euros plus 3 million euros. Betis bears the payment. United secured a 50% share of any future resale fees for Betis, not only the purchase price profit, which could be worth millions given Anthony's 25-year-old. Still, that's a sharp drop from the 100 million euro deal that Manchester United agreed to pay Ajax in 2022.

Manchester United started the summer with £5m from Chelsea, and the Blues enforced the penalty clause in Sancho's loan agreement instead of completing the £25m buyout option. This option (an unusual addition) was added by Chelsea late in negotiations last summer.

Sancho has several clubs interested in this time and even had video calls with Roma - but decided not to transfer to Serie A. Just when he seemed likely to stay at Manchester United for the final year of his contract, Villa made a loan offer, which he accepted. Villa is expected to pay Sancho about 80% of his weekly salary of £200,000. There are performance bonuses that may allow Vera to cover the full amount.

Last season loan Villa provided a platform for Rashford, ensuring his dream Barcelona transfer and saving Manchester United about £15 million annual salary. Manchester United have always been convinced that Rashford and Garnacho will find their next home because they want to compete in the US World Cup next summer. Manchester United is expected to receive about £100 million in player sales, although it is currently only £59 million, but with his loan fee and second transfer terms of Carreras, Ellanda and Oyedelai (total of about £15 million), Manchester United has reached about £80 million. If Hoylen's permanent deal (worth £38 million) passes, they will far exceed their target.

Originally, Maguire may also leave the team. Several clubs including Juventus and Cuomo have asked for his transfer, but all inquiries were rejected.

B fee was a strong focus for Saudi Arabia, especially in May, when Riyadh Crescent suggested that he would offer a quotation of 100 million euros if he agreed. It was revealed that even on the day B Fee held a press conference that he would stay in the team, Riyadh New Moon raised its offer again, reaching an astonishing annual net income of 40 million euros plus 10 million euros bonus. Riyadh Crescent President Naffel uses Paris as a recruiting base before the club's World Cup in case B's fee agrees.

Amorin praised B for rejecting a generous offer when facing staff on Monday before the start of the Premier League season. Amorson said he wanted the team to focus on the game and mentioned players going out and training late as an example of poor discipline. He did not name the name, but solving this problem is also an important reason for Manchester United's frequent operations this summer.

Manchester United has done a lot of work for this.

They filled their target positions, mostly before the season, kept their contracts within the salary structure and recovered a lot of money on leaving the team. Time will tell whether the reconstruction move will be successful this summer.