Manchester United will not be bullied into overpaying for players this summer, chief executive Omar Berrada has made clear — and the noises out of Old Trafford suggest the club mean every word of it.

Speaking on United's Inside Carrington podcast, Berrada laid out the blueprint in terms that agents and selling clubs would do well to take seriously. Last summer's window — in which United moved quickly and smartly to land Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens — is the model the recruitment team intends to follow again.

"The template for what we did last summer will be replicated," Berrada said. "We have a clear plan. Jason Wilcox and his team are well set up to execute that plan."

Lessons learned the hard way

The context matters. United have spent the better part of two seasons untangling the financial and sporting mess created by the heavy fees and wages committed to the likes of Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek. That era, widely viewed inside the club as a cautionary tale, is now being used as the justification for a far more structured approach.

The fruits of that change were visible last season. All four summer arrivals made a positive contribution as United finished third in the Premier League and secured Champions League football for the first time in three years. In that context, Berrada's confidence is entirely understandable.

"We want a mix of experience and youth," he added. "A mix of players who have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and players that are doing very well outside it. Whatever decisions we take will not just be for the short term but the long term."

Ederson in, Anderson too expensive

United have already moved on their first piece of business, agreeing a £35m fee with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Ederson, with the 26-year-old expected to undergo his medical ahead of pre-season. Director of football Wilcox, director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and director of negotiations Matt Hargreaves are all central to the process.

The club are believed to be in the market for at least one, possibly two, further central midfielders, with West Ham's Mateus Fernandes — valued at around £80m by the London club — attracting strong interest from United. They are also seeking backup for Sesko up front and cover on the left side, with a full-back capable of competing with Luke Shaw a priority given head coach Michael Carrick considers Patrick Dorgu a more attacking option.

What United will not do, sources close to the club are clear, is let the market run away from them. That principle has already been tested. The club walked away from a deal for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson after his valuation reached £120m — a fee considered far beyond what United were prepared to sanction.

"We have to be really disciplined," Berrada said. "It's very important you don't let the market or the agents dictate what we should be doing."

A done deal in mindset, if not yet in signings

The message from Berrada is consistent and pointed. United are open for business but on their own terms. The club are agile enough to react to unexpected exits or late opportunities, as they showed last August, but the anchor is a clearly defined plan and a hard ceiling on what they will spend.

"In some cases, we may decide to make an investment knowing it is the right thing, not for the next two or three years but the next 10," Berrada added — a line that hints United are thinking about squad architecture rather than simply plugging gaps.

With Ederson on his way and several positions still to fill, the window is only just beginning. But the tone from the top has been set.

Frequently asked

Who is Manchester United signing this summer?
United have agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Ederson. They are also interested in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes and are looking to add further midfield cover, a striker backup and a left-sided player.
Why did Man Utd pull out of a deal for Elliot Anderson?
Club sources indicated United were not prepared to pay the £120m valuation placed on Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, as that fee fell outside their disciplined spending framework.
What was Man Utd's transfer approach last summer?
United used increased data analysis to sign Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens. All four contributed positively as the club finished third in the Premier League and returned to the Champions League.