Manchester United chief says he wants to sign “the next Mbappe”

Manchester United chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear he’d like to see the club complete the transfer of a player who can be the next Kylian Mbappe.

The France international is one of the biggest names in world football at the moment after a great career at Paris Saint-Germain, but it looks like he’ll be on the move this summer as he nears the end of his contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

Man Utd won’t be in the frame, though, with Ratcliffe making it clear he wants the club to be finding top young talents who can go on to become big names like Mbappe later.

See below for Ratcliffe’s quotes, which give some idea about how MUFC will operate under the British billionaire since his recent purchase of a 25% stake in the club…

Manchester United to sign Mbappé or INEOS to sign Poga?ar ?

Listen to the full interview with Sir Jim Ratcliffe by searching "Geraint Thomas Cycling Club" in your podcast app ? pic.twitter.com/Rwf4i4dlWn

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Mbappe would undoubtedly be a dream signing for United and any other club, but since he’s surely out of their reach, it makes sense for Ratcliffe to set more realistic expectations.

Mbappe transfer is not what Man Utd need anyway

In truth, this is probably just the change of direction United need after so many failed superstar signings in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Mbappe is clearly an elite talent who would surely shine in any team, but there’s never any guarantee with marquee signings, as United will know from the struggles of hyped-up acquisitions like Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Antony and Harry Maguire.

It remains to be seen who the next Mbappe is, and if United can win the race for his signature either, but it will be interesting to see if the club can improve their recruitment under Ratcliffe and whoever comes in as sporting director.

Identifying the best young players in the world will surely be top of the club’s list, though, but it might also be some time before we see if these long-term investments prove fruitful.