Ed: Ole needs time to bring back glory days
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer will be given time to rebuild United and take them back to the top of English football.
That’s according to the club’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, who called for patience with the Reds’ rebuilding project after a difficult start to the season, which has seen Solskjaer’s side pick up eight points from their opening six games.
United have won just five of their last 19 matches, with Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham heightening the pressure on Solskjaer and his players.
But following a summer that saw three new arrivals at Old Trafford and several high-profile exits either on loan or permanently, the Reds remain focused on their long-term strategy, with Solskjaer integral to that.
And Woodward, in a conference call to the club’s investors, reiterated the need for patience.
“We and our growing global fanbase demand success,” he said.
“Success means winning trophies. That target and that standard has never changed for Manchester United. The progress we made on the business side underpins the continued investment in the football side. Much of the progress made around that investment – the academy, the recruitment department and the training ground facilities – is behind the scenes and therefore isn’t immediately apparent to those on the outside looking in.
“These investments, together with the commitment we made to Ole and his coaching staff in March, have given us the building blocks for success.
“Whilst we’re confident this investment will deliver results, it’s important that we’re patient, while Ole and his team build for the future.
“We will continue to focus on the long-term strategy and wont be influenced by short-term distractions.”
Woodward’s comments will put pay to any suggestions that Solskjaer’s job could be under pressure. And the United head honcho also addressed the summer transfer window just gone and lauded the club’s recruitment department for their focus – despite the fact the club were continually linked with players.
He added: “As always with Manchester United speculation around the summer transfer window is intense and the club was linked with hundreds of players, almost all without foundation.
“Despite this, our recruitment department’s robust process and early alignment on targets with the manager meant we were able to approach the window in a focussed and disciplined way.
“Our new signings Dan James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire joined a strong squad that also saw renewed contracts executed for a number of our key players, including Marcus Rashford, David de Gea and Victor Lindelof, as well as (Anthony) Martial and (Luke) Shaw amongst others earlier in the season.”