Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has played down talk of the club looking for a new Director of Football, saying that they’re headed in the right direction. 

It’s the latest move in a line of structural changes that almost, but not quite, came to fruition at Man Utd – remember the almost – was the Manchester United casino? With the advent of online live casino, perhaps it’s a good thing that never panned out. However, with the way this season is going at Old Trafford, this one may come back to haunt them. The executive vice-chairman of United recently spoke with investors in the club after announcing record revenues of £627.1 million, second behind La Liga’s Real Madrid on the world stage. However, that number is likely to fall in 2020 due to key players likely signing costly new contracts, as well as United failing to qualify for the Champions League. 

Criticism for both manager and club 

Recent Premier League results haven’t been as expected for United, including a loss to West Ham Utd and Newcastle Utd, and the club has received criticism for being less than aggressive in the transfer market. United are 10 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after just eight matches and criticism wasn’t just aimed at Solskjaer, but also that of the structure of the club after recent defeats. While Woodward continues to back manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, this isn’t the first time the club has been criticised for its stricture. 

Woodward knows all too well what corporate backers want to hear, but that doesn’t mean that Old Trafford’s paying customers will be as easily satisfied. While United aren’t in short supply when it comes to funds, their £332.3 million wage bill has increased by more than £36 million from a year ago and represents an annual turnover of 53 per cent. United’s failure to find a replacement for Romelu Lukaku prior to the transfer window closing is seen as risky. Further, there is suspicion surrounding Woodward’s motives for deciding against appointing a director of football when it was clear from the moment that Jose Mourinho left the club that United needed someone to take charge of recruitment. Woodward has even said so himself within the last year, yet there seems to be no decisive action planned, as usual. 

Van der Sar and Ferdinand linked 

United have been linked to a number of potential directors, including Edwin van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand (Source Manchester Evening News), but Woodward’s latest stance is that he’s happy with his current personnel. Ed Woodward would only go as far as to say that they’re always looking at ways to improve the club’s structure and that their recent signings show their determination to get back to winning ways. 

United targeted British players in the summer – signing Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James. Woodward intends to continue that very approach while, at the same time, bringing along players from the club’s academy. He added that he intends to return to the early days of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, with attacking football led by youth.

Posted on October 11th, 2019 by scott
Filed under: Article