Man United 'mismanaged' by Woodward and Glazers says expert
Manchester United owners the Glazers have no intention of relieving Ed Woodward of his duties anytime soon. However, after his latest mistake, that needs to change.
The relationship between Woodward and the Glazers is about as strong as any over at Manchester United.
Woodward helped the Red Devils owners acquire the club back in 2005 when he was still a banker. And when David Gill stepped down as executive vice-chairman in 2013, he was ushered in with the seal of approval from the top.
Yet Manchester United, on his watch, have fallen by the wayside. They’re no longer a European superpower able to sit at the same table as the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and co.
Off the pitch, away from football really, Woodward has excelled. The Red Devils are a commercial goldmine, in bed with a plethora of sponsors from around the world.
But, when it comes to footballing matters, he’s failed.
Man Utd owners the Glazers must take Ed Woodward action (Image: GETTY)
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And it emerged at the same time that United had also been sniffing about the Japan international.
To lose out in a straight fight is fair enough. Frustrating, but what can you do?
Yet it also came out that United were unaware of the clause. United, the global power with scouts all over the world, were clueless.
How is that allowed to happen?
Woodward, alongside Matt Judge, has a huge say in transfers over at Old Trafford. Certainly, he’s above manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the power rankings.
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And that means he can no longer be considered untouchable, as one United insider previously described him.
It’s basic stuff. A phone call, an enquiry. Something the Red Devils should certainly have known given the extensive resources at their disposal.
And it highlights that United need a director of football, one with huge experience, overseeing transfer business - rather than Woodward.
The Glazers simply can’t tolerate such ineptness. If they continue to do so, United will only fall further behind.