Published: 14:43, 26 October 2025 | Updated: 14:43, 26 October 2025

When Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox convened in Iceland for a fishing trip back in July it was not lost on them that Manchester United would have to spend their way out of their problems.

Money would be tight. Ratcliffe made that clear previously.

But the margins between success and failure were even tighter and with only Matheus Cunha through the door at that stage, Ratcliffe and Co knew they would need to roll very expensive dice a couple more times.

A £62.5million move for Cunha was followed by a £71m capture of Bryan Mbeumo, a £73.7m swoop for Benjamin Sesko and, despite starting the season with Altay Bayindir, another £18.1m was dropped on goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Deadline Day.

Only Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United spent more. All four have Champions League riches to fall back on. United took a big swing and are now ahead of three of these sides nine games in.

So, for Ratcliffe to be sat alongside Berrada and Wilcox on Saturday evening at...