Man United 'mismanaged' by Woodward and Glazers says expert
Manchester United owners the Glazers are unlikely to sell up, Sky Sports reporter James Cooper believes. The Americans have come in for criticism in the wake of their failed attempt to create a European Super League. And Cooper thinks that while Ed Woodward has struggled, he’ll be leaving the club ‘on a high’.
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“It's been 11 years since green and gold, people on the streets of Manchester United protesting against the Glazer ownership. Maybe we are getting closer to that resurfacing.
"People are asking the Glazers to relinquish control, but I do not think they are going to do that.
“We have hardly heard from or seen them since their takeover in 2005, they are not a visible presence at Old Trafford because they are not wanted there and certainly don't feel comfortable there.
“If they go and see Manchester United games, they tend to be on away European nights.
"People talk about the Glazers rebuilding bridges and trust and making relationships right, but they have never really had a relationship with fans so there is not really anything to rebuild. There might be something to build, but certainly not rebuild.
"An about-turn is required in the way the Glazers go about things.
“We saw a huge apology which was spectacular in the sense that nothing like this has ever happened before - here was the Glazer family actively communicating with Manchester United fans.
"The question there is: what was in it for them and why did they do it? Was it because everybody else said sorry, are they worried about the state of their investment, bearing in mind the share price soared ahead of the Super League announcement and then plummeted?
“I do not see the Glazers giving anything away or any authority which dilutes their interest in the club.
"The situation as Manchester United is very different to the one at Liverpool, where John W Henry was virtually given the freedom of Anfield after delivering the Champions League and Premier League.
Manchester United fans want the Glazers gone (Image: GETTY)
“That has never been the case for the Glazers. We have not seen a league title since 2013, we have seen three trophies, a succession of managers come and go, and a huge amount of money - a billion under Ed Woodward - being spent really badly.”
While Cooper thinks Woodward has wasted money, however, he thinks United’s fine form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer means he’ll leave on a high.
"Myself and the press pack in Manchester would all say Ed Woodward is a decent person who talks openly and communicates,” he said.
“But we would also reflect on the fact his time in charge has coincided with a really difficult period for Manchester United.
“He mentioned a period of ups and downs in his resignation statement and most of us will reflect more on downs than ups.
Manchester United have announced the departure of Ed Woodward (Image: GETTY)
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“They have not won a Premier League title, they have won three trophies, had Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal who, with hindsight, were perhaps both past their sell-by dates.
“Accompanied with that, you have had Manchester City hoovering up the trophies Manchester United expect to traditionally challenge for, and Liverpool are back at the summit of English football.
“Everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong, and yet timing-wise, instead of leaving with his tail between his legs, he's leaving with Manchester United and himself on a high.
“United are second in the Premier League, are in the semi-finals of the Europe League, and the squad looks as good as it has since 2013, but the executive vice-chairman has decided enough is enough."