Ed arrives at Carrington as club gets Euro ready
ED Woodward arrived at United’s training ground on yesterday morning amid the club’s preparations for their Europa League restart.
United host LASK Linz in their round-of-16 second leg on Wednesday before a probable trip to Cologne to take on Copenhagen or Istanbul Basaksehir in the quarter-finals.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is bidding to end United’s trophy drought that has extended beyond three years but the resumption of the Europa League also coincides with the summer transfer window.
United are yet to make a formal offer for Jadon Sancho, back training with Borussia Dortmund this week, and the summer window closes in nine weeks. Sancho reported at Dortmund’s training ground for a medical over the weekend.
Woodward and the head of corporate development Matt Judge – tasked with negotiating transfers – attended a recruitment meeting last month after United’s summer plans were delayed by the lockdown.
The M.E.N. understands United attempted to set up the framework of a £65m deal for Jack Grealish in February but Aston Villa avoided relegation and are believed to now be demanding £80m.
Former Birmingham midfielder Jude Bellingham rejected United in favour of joining Dortmund, having met Woodward and Judge at Carrington in March with his parents.
United are open to recruiting a centre-back but accept they must reduce an already bloated department, with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Marcos Rojo free to leave permanently.