Manchester United recruitment staff are on tenterhooks amid greater scrutiny of the club's hit rate in the transfer market. Well-placed sources say the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as co-chairman in February has created a stricter recruitment operation at the club.
One scout said staff are working in fear as they are under the impression that jobs could be on the line if they make a mistake over a signing.
United have invested £625.43million on signings during manager Erik ten Hag's reign and a number of the club's summer signings have already come in for criticism after three defeats in United's opening six Premier League games. READ MORE: United sticking with Ten Hag for now READ MORE: Ten Hag speaks out on his United future Striker Joshua Zirkzee has scored one goal in eight appearances and centre back Matthijs de Ligt's errant positioning in the 3-0 home drubbing by Tottenham on Sunday was highlighted by Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football.
Manuel Ugarte endured a chastening full Premier League debut against Spurs. Inaugural sporting director Dan Ashworth has used the closure of the transfer window to take a deep dive into the inner workings at United, having started on July 1.