Manchester United chief scout Javier Ribalta has left the Premier League club. Ribalta arrived just one year ago from Juventus. He now takes over the role of sporting director at Zenit St. Petersburg.
Javier Ribalta leaves Manchester United
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ribalta has left the Red Devils on good terms. He has merely decided to take the next step in his career by assuming the sporting director job at Zenit.
Ribalta was famous for bringing players such as Paul Pogba, Paulo Dybala, and Alex Sandro to Juventus during his time with the Serie A champions. Prior to working with the Bianconeri, Ribalta worked as a scout for Italy’s Novara and Juventus’ Turin derby rivals Torino.
Manchester United had employed Ribalta to bring in top-tier talent like he did at Juventus. With Ribalta’s departure, there is a belief that Manchester United may fail to further strengthen the team before the Premier League season kicks off. The summer transfer window will close on August 9.
Red Devils’ supporters have shown some panic after learning about Ribalta’s exit. The club has signed Lee Grant from Stoke, Diogo Dalot from FC Porto, and Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk this summer. However, fans are still clambering for the club to do more to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League along with Europe’s elite in the Champions League.
Fans show concern over Javier Ribalta exit
Javier Ribalta leaving, Anthony Martial’s future up in the air, Smalling and Jones are still here, Mourinho thinks Young is good enough to be first choice left back, no sign of any new signings. This is depressing.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) July 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/Vintage_Utd/status/1021389737087721472
Javier Ribalta, our chief scout, is ready to leave United. That shows how bad and disjointed United's recruitment policy must be behind the scenes.
Javier Ribalta the man who's helping to change Man Utd's transfer tactic https://t.co/z7Ia2pUXUh
— RedForceRising (@Man_Utd_Show) July 23, 2018
Javier Ribalta has left his role as United's chief scout to become Zenit's new sporting director after just a year at club. Understand 'no bad reason' behind move and Spaniard sees it as a 'great challenge' and chance to step up into a new position. #mufc
— Ciaran Kelly (@MENCKelly) July 23, 2018
About a month ago, Javier Ribalta was praised for the signings of Dalot and Fred. A month later, Jose and United are being blamed for not going after the targets he suggested (having no proof for either whatsoever). Elite fan base.
— TikkiTacos (@MesseLingard) July 23, 2018
Javier Ribalta, appointed last year to change the club's transfer strategy, is considering moving to Zenit, which tells you plenty about United's transfer window. https://t.co/1nOyLMclG9
— The Peoples Person (@PeoplesPerson_) July 23, 2018
There are claims by fans that Manchester United’s transfer strategy is the reason Ribalta has left. Despite reports to the contrary, Manchester United’s strategy hasn’t been to the level of Juventus’ during Ribalta’s five years with the Bianconeri. There is the possibility Ribalta and manager Jose Mourinho butted heads over players despite Manchester United signing two of his suggestions this summer in Dalot and Fred.
Despite being an important signing by the club, Ribalta is said to have had limited power in his role. In addition, there are rumours that his role as chief scout at Old Trafford wasn’t as significant as the job title implied.
Do you think Javier Ribalta leaving Manchester United will damage the club this season and in the years to come?