From Hits to Misses: Grading Every Bold Transfer Move Jason Wilcox Has Made at Man Utd

Jason Wilcox was first handed Manchester United's company credit card in June 2025, when he was elevated from technical director to director of football, and has since made eight additions to the club's first-team squad.

But, shortly after wrapping up his second summer transfer window, the 55-year-old's judgment and ambition have come under scrutiny.

Following yet another disappointing result for the Red Devils at the start of the 2026–27 season, this time against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, center back Lisandro Martínez unleashed a remarkable postgame outburst, during which he took aim at Wilcox and his recruitment decisions.

"I expect more from our technical director [Wilcox]," Martínez said bluntly. "I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night."

With that in mind, here's an evaluation—and ranking—of Wilcox's senior signings since taking over as United's director of football.

8. Karl Darlow

Signing backup goalkeepers is rarely an exciting affair—and Karl Darlow's arrival proved no exception.

After growing frustrated with André Onana and Altay Bayındır's error-riddled displays, United were forced to overhaul their goalkeeping options, and Darlow was brought in as a reserve on a free transfer during the most recent window.

So far, the Wales international has featured in just one competitive outing, hardly distinguishing himself as United slumped to a miserable 3–2 home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 36-year-old will be confined to domestic cup appearances, meaning United fans are unlikely to see much of him before his deal runs out in 2028.

7. Andrey Santos

It's still very early for Andrey Santos, who only joined for $64.3 million in July, but initial indications suggest he may end up as fourth choice in United's revamped midfield.

Santos has started just three competitive matches since arriving in Manchester and looks set to play a fringe role similar to the one he endured at former club Chelsea.

The 22-year-old is a versatile player capable of contributing to United's cause, adding depth and potential to Michael Carrick's roster, but whether he can justify his price tag with limited playing time remains to be seen.

For now, it's simply too soon to judge how his United career will unfold.

6. Youri Tielemans

Youri Tielemans was a shrewd and opportunistic acquisition. For just $47 million, United were landing a midfielder with Premier League pedigree, technical quality and several productive years still ahead of him.

The Belgian, widely regarded as the standout value-for-money signing of last summer, has made a shaky start to life at United, however, with his limited mobility and physicality doing little to complement Kobbie Mainoo's attributes.

Tielemans needs more time to find his feet at Old Trafford, but it's already apparent that United will struggle if they persist in pairing him with Mainoo in the double pivot.

That may have been an oversight at the time of signing, but the 29-year-old should still come good in the weeks and months ahead.

5. Benjamin Šeško

Wilcox entered his first summer at the helm with one clear objective: completely transform an underperforming United attack. One position that urgently needed addressing was center forward, with the club opting to take a chance on Slovenian talent Benjamin Šeško.

Having watched Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggle before him, the pressure was firmly on Šeško to make an instant impact.

While his debut season in England was far from perfect—Šeško needed time to settle and was repeatedly hampered by injury—there were plenty of encouraging signs. Netting 11 Premier League goals, despite starting just 17 of his 30 appearances, helped ease early doubts.

Šeško's pace, physicality and knack for crucial goals won over the United faithful and suggested his $89 million price tag could be justified.

Achieving consistency and staying fit are the next challenges for the 23-year-old on his path to fulfilling his potential.

4. Carlos Baleba

United showed considerable patience in their pursuit of Carlos Baleba from Brighton. After being quoted over $135 million for the midfielder in the summer of 2025, the Red Devils walked away from those demands and bided their time until the asking price fell.

In the summer window of 2026, they finally secured their target for $96 million.

Baleba arrived at Old Trafford carrying an injury that pushed back his debut until after the season's first international break, but there's little doubt he is precisely the type of midfielder Carrick needs to strengthen his engine room.

With boundless energy, impressive defensive awareness and a remarkable ability to win the ball back in any situation, he looks set to become one of United's most successful signings in recent memory.

While it's too soon to fully assess him, Baleba has the makings of a transformative addition.

3. Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha's debut campaign at United was not without its difficulties, particularly given the $85 million paid to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the Brazilian ultimately settled in well.

One challenge for Cunha was a constantly shifting role. He began as a central striker before dropping into an attacking midfield position. When Carrick came in to replace Ruben Amorim, he was moved out to the left wing.

Understandably, Cunha took time to adapt, but there were still plenty of standout individual performances scattered throughout the season. He finished with 10 goals and two assists in the Premier League and closed the campaign with three goals in his final four outings.

Questions remain over where Cunha fits in at United, particularly once the club inevitably brings in a natural left winger, but his signing has proven worthwhile so far.

2. Bryan Mbeumo

Much like Cunha, things weren't always smooth sailing for Bryan Mbeumo in his first year at United. The $96 million winger went through some difficult patches, particularly toward the end of the season, but still managed to contribute goals on a consistent basis.

Whether deployed as a right winger or center forward—the latter a role he filled regularly under Carrick—Mbeumo's work rate and goal threat made him a persistent headache for opposing defenses.

Whether he has fully justified such a hefty transfer fee is debatable and will become clearer over the next few seasons, but he undeniably gave United's misfiring attack a significant boost.

With 12 goals in his debut year and three more already this term, Mbeumo has delivered on the promise he showed during several standout seasons with Brentford.

1. Senne Lammens

There were legitimate concerns when United decided to replace the error-prone Onana with Senne Lammens—a goalkeeper who was largely unknown outside of Belgium, where he had been plying his trade with Royal Antwerp.

But United clearly identified something special in the shot-stopper and parted with $24.5 million late in Wilcox's first summer window. Any doubts about his ability were swiftly put to rest.

Lammens proved an immediate step up from Onana, with his confident, composed performances—both with his hands and feet—quickly earning him admirers. Rather than costing United points, their goalkeeper was actually helping them win some.

There are still aspects of Lammens's game that need refining, most notably his distribution when pressed, but few United signings over the past decade have offered better value—based on his debut campaign at the club, at least.