Manchester United fans turned their frustration toward director of football Jason Wilcox after the club’s 3‑0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. As the final whistle blew, supporters sang Wilcox’s name alongside a curse, signalling their anger at what they saw as a failure in the club’s transfer policy. The chant came just weeks after defender Lisandro Martinez publicly criticised the hierarchy for not strengthening the squad, adding that he expected more from the club’s technical director.
Wilcox, a former England winger who won the Premier League with Blackburn in 1994‑95, joined United in April 2024 as technical director after a 15‑month stint at Manchester City. He was expected to oversee all technical areas and report to the sporting director, a role that was later taken over by Dan Ashworth until Ashworth’s dismissal in December 2024 over a dispute about who should replace Erik Ten Hag. Since then, United’s poor run of results and a lack of clear transfer activity have put Wilcox in the spotlight.
The criticism is rooted in a series of missed opportunities. United were unable to sign midfielder Manuel Ugarte after his injury at the World Cup, and a £26 million bid for England striker Marcus Rashford fell through when Barcelona withdrew. These setbacks limited the club’s summer budget for both transfer fees and wages. Fans argue that Wilcox, who rarely speaks to the media, should have been more proactive in addressing the squad’s needs, particularly after injuries to key players such as Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko. The club’s focus on midfield reinforcements at the expense of other positions is seen as a strategic error.
Despite the mounting pressure, Wilcox has received backing from senior figures. When Ruben Amorim was appointed as Ten Hag’s successor, Wilcox retained his role even after sporting director Dan Ashworth was sacked. A year later, when Amorim publicly accused the club of interference, Wilcox again remained in his post. United’s chief executive Omar Berrada and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe have yet to comment on the current crisis, leaving Wilcox’s future uncertain.
With Michael Carrick’s position as manager under threat after eight games without a win, the focus is shifting to Wilcox. Fans have made it clear they want a change at the technical level, but it remains to be seen whether the club’s leadership will act on their demands. The next few weeks will be crucial as United look to reverse their fortunes and decide whether Wilcox will stay on to steer the club’s technical direction.