The arrival of Paul Pogba at Manchester United signals a reinvigorated purchasing power at the club, now possesing the ability to bring in the biggest names in world football.
The Community Shield winners have spent a total of €185 million on Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived on a free transfer. Spending big isn’t anything new at United, Angel Di Maria arrived two seasons ago for a cool €75 million, but it is United’s ability to bring the biggest burgeoning star in world football to Old Trafford ahead of the likes of La Liga’s Real Madrid and Barcelona, who once beat them to the punch.
As with any team, the manager plays his part in bring in the best-of-the-best and José Mourinho plays a pivotal role in this new pulling power. The United boss has cordial relations with the world’s most influential football agents in Mina Raiola and Jorge Mendes. Mourinho’s own agent is super-agent Jorge Mendes, whose clients include Cristiano Ronaldo, Renato Sanchez and David de Gea. Raiola, who Alex Ferguson shared a strong dislike of, helped broker the summer deals of Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan and today’s world record fee for Pogba.
But it isn’t just Mourinho’s connections that get these deals done, it’s his cool manner of persuasion and the ability to share a vision.
“I spoke with him a few times and he gave me energy and positivity. I was thinking ‘why not?’. I’m sure he can help me improve and make me a better player and a better person” said Pogba today in his first interview as United’s new no.6
While Mourinho persuades the players to join on a personal level, the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward churns out multi-million commercial deals to bankroll these huge transfer fees. The most notable deal being the record breaking £750 million kit-deal with Adidas in 2014.
“The reality is that we’re not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market.
“Whether it’s a record or not doesn’t really resonate with us. What resonates is that a top, top, elite player, that the manager wants, is going to be a star for Manchester United.” said Woodward speaking in 2014 about potential acquisitions.
And true to his word, Woodward and co. have brought in the elite of the elite. The United board and The Special One have brought back a special buzz and atmosphere to the red-half of Manchester, a special feeling of genuine optimism that has been missing for so long.
United’s purchasing-power now packs a powerful punch. A future team of Galácticos lead by Paul Pogba is not an unthinkable thought.