I don't have gamepass so no new version for me. I am not a buyer I wait for free versions.
I got to change my laptop so started a new save with some database changes. Started a Indian domestic save, still in preseason. Would be fun to do a low budget team because I mostly play as Manchester United.
I have to be completely honest I don't know how to assign scouts in new versions, so they do their own thing on their own.
I believe they made way too many redundant screens in this one.
I am a very bad observer of little things and wouldn't notice much. I am simpleton I had fun good, I didn't bad.
Let me know how the save goes... my first save was with my hometown in an edited Indian database. Gave up on it because of several data issues in the file but I'll probably fix them up and try a new save once the realism pack is out and I forget the experience I had at first. It's been years since I went completely low budget too, I'm currently managing Newcastle in a new save as they were the first 'big' team that gave me a job and they've got plenty of money, nothing like the save I did ten years back with them that was probably my most favourite save across every FM for the sheer fun. I'm thinking of either doing a youth academy challenge with certain modified rules to allow for fun or a journey through multiple countries/leagues as a Hodgson like figure once the realism pack is out. I've managed United on multiple occasions in previous FMs and I've always ended up with a super team because of their sponsorship money and strong academy giving them a massive lead in the long run over everyone else.
I've never assigned scouts in the newer versions too... but this one I might start doing again. All you need to do is set recruitment focuses which work similar to FIFA's and are very easy to set up finally. The recruitment meetings are also much better this time around with meaningful suggestions. You're spot on with the redundancy of so many screens.. it feels like we're simulating a corporate manager's life at times with the tedium and that is my biggest bugbear with the series at the moment. It's just too much clicking till we get to the fun parts.
I definitely think you'd have fun with this version... hopefully you manage to snag it soon!