Ed’s warning over spending
ED Woodward insists United will continue to build on the strong foundations they have laid in the transfer market, but has warned the club must ‘be responsible in using their resources’ during the current climate.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has added just one new signing to the side which finished third during the last campaign.
The Reds spent £35m to recruit Donny van de Beek from Ajax but are still interested in a potential club-record move for priority target Jadon Sancho.
The perceived lack of transfer activity has frustrated a growing number of fans on social media, particularly given the recent arrivals at rival clubs such as Chelsea and Liverpool.
Executive vice-chairman Woodward says he is delighted to have recruited Van de Beek this summer and has been also quick to highlight the recent arrivals at youth level.
However, the United chief once again reiterated the testing conditions in the summer transfer window with the October 5 deadline now just over two weeks away.
“Disruption from the pandemic is continuing to create huge economic pressures from the top to the bottom of the football pyramid and, while we are fortunate to be in a more resilient position than most clubs, we are not immune from the impact,” Woodward said in United Review.
“Despite this, we are delighted to have brought in Donny van de Beek from Ajax, adding further quality to a midfield already strengthened by the recruitment of Bruno Fernandes in January. Both Donny and Bruno are players we had been tracking for some time and their signings reflect out long-term approach to blending high-quality recruits with homegrown talent to develop a squad capable of winning trophies playing attacking, entertaining football.
“As part of that process, we have also awarded new contracts to Nemanja Matic and academy graduates Dean Henderson, Brandon Williams, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood over the past year.
“Together, these investments reinforce our optimism about the future, and we will continue to build on these strong foundations.
“However, we must also be responsible in our use of resources during the most extraordinarily challenging time for everyone in football.”