So, why is it always Ed’s fault?
THERE has been very little criticism of Manchester United’s desire to make Harry Maguire an £80million player, despite troubling errors in UEFA’s Nations League finals. General approval, too, has greeted the arrival of Daniel James from Swansea. And in Aaron Wan-Bissaka it is widely agreed that United have got one of the finest prospects in the country. This is what must puzzle Ed Woodward when United fall short, and his stewardship is decried as hopeless. Nothing gets said at the time. When Alexis Sanchez signed, while the deal was considered extortionate, the consensus was that United had done well to persuade him to reject league leaders Manchester City — where he would have been reacquainted with Pep Guardiola — and that a premium had to be paid. The same with Romelu Lukaku. The current negotiation with Inter Milan shows the player has a special relationship with Antonio Conte and should really have signed for Chelsea. Woodward paid through the nose and got that one over the line, too. As for Paul Pogba, do not believe the talk that Jose Mourinho did not want the player. He was very keen, very vocal and put Woodward under pressure to complete the signing, again at huge cost. Yet when these deals did not work out as planned, it is Woodward who has carried the can. He is branded a poor negotiator and no match for the players’ agents. Maybe he will cop it again if United’s latest business does not have a positive impact. For the moment, though, United are investing in ambitious, young British players and following what is considered the club’s blueprint. Everyone is very enthused. It is only when plans go awry that Woodward is left to shoulder the blame, alone.