For so many years, Manchester United did not only look like a club making mistake after mistake, but also a club who had no interest in learning from those mistakes.

A constant and always-baffling tendency to back a new manager heavily and then tighten the purse-strings just as progress appeared to be on the way.

A drastically flawed transfer policy which appeared to focus on how many shirts a player would shift rather than how he would fit into the coach's tactical set-up.

A self-defeating tendency to be bewitched by big names and big reputations. Constantly going for the short-term option and then finding themselves right back at square one.

A case in point, between 2014 and 2023, Manchester United signed Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo, Cristiano Ronaldo and then Wout Weghorst. Six sticking plaster strikers who would last just two seasons at the most and a few months at the least.

It wasn't just in the centre-forward department where such mistakes were made either.

According to The Guardian, Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe highlighted the deal that brought in Casemiro from Real Madrid two years ago as a prime example of where his beloved Man United were going wrong in the transfer market.

A PS70 million, 30-year-old defensive midfielder snapped up on a four-year contract.

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Just ask Arsenal fans; the Man United legend issuing a prophecy of their 2022/23 title collapse long before the trophy had sky blue ribbons tied around it's handles.

And 'Nostrodamus Nev' was on the money again when speaking to Sky Sports about that Casemiro deal two years ago this month.

"I have to say, I think he'll do well for a couple years for the club, Casemiro," Neville said. "But someone in two years time is going to pick up a player who will be beyond his best years on PS20 million (a year) who they can't shift. It may be Erik ten Hag. It may be another manager. It could be new owners."

It is still Ten Hag, of course. But it is also 'new owners'. Ratcliffe seized control from the Glazers in the spring.

And, try as they might, Man United have found it impossible to shift a now-32-year-old Casemiro who's form fell off a cliff during a disastrous second season at Old Trafford. At least they did manage to get fellow veteran and the similarly high-earning Raphael Varane off the wage bill when his contract expired.

And, much to Neville's relief, Manchester United look like a club listening to their head rather than their heart these days with the Glazers no longer in control.

Speaking to The Overlap, he feels that the days when Man United would jump at the chance to sign a player based on his reputation rather than his suitability - former Real Madrid duo Varane and Casemiro are the two brought up in the discussion - are most certainly over.

"No, they won't happen again. No," Neville tells The Overlap.

All change at Old Trafford under Ineos They say 'actions speak louder' than words.

But the plan Ratcliffe has put in place backs up the comments he made on The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast shortly after his minority takeover was confirmed a few months ago.

Ratcliffe wanted Man United to look for the 'next Kylian Mbappe', the 'next Jude Bellingham' and the 'next Roy Keane'. In short, the next footballing superstar, rather than those who's best years lay behind them.

Such an approach can be seen, too, in Manchester United's transfer policy this summer.

While shipping out Varane, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and co, the Red Devils have signed four new players with an average of age just 23.

Leny Yoro is the youngest - and most expensive - of those at 18. Noussair Mazraoui is the oldest, but still yet to hit his prime at 26.