Ed’s final comments won’t be eye-opening
AFTER nine years at United, today could bring the final public statement out of Old Trafford from Ed Woodward.
At around midday, the Reds will announce their first-quarter financial results via press release.
The usual investors call won’t be taking place, with those now limited to the year-end results, but Woodward is likely to be quoted in the press release, as he usually is, providing ‘management commentary.’
That could be Woodward’s final significant statement in his role at United, presuming his departure continues to the expected timeframe. The executive vice-chairman confirmed he was standing down in May and the clock is ticking on his expected departure before the end of the year, with Richard Arnold primed to replace him.
Woodward’s public comments in his role at Old Trafford have tended to be restricted to the quarterly financial results and calls with investors. He wasn’t quoted in the statements confirming the sackings of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal or Jose Mourinho.
It remains conceivable Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could yet be the fourth manager to be handed a P45 by Woodward and, given all the faith that has been invested in an untried manager, that could be the 50-yearold’s toughest decision yet.
So barring any gushy farewell interview on MUTV, this could be the final time we hear from Woodward, although in truth it’s going to leave more questions than answers.
That is often the way with these quarterly events for United. Their status as being listed on the New York Stock Exchange requires quarterly financial results and the now-yearly conference call, but they are talking to investors on those occasions rather than fans.
That’s why the focus of comments from Woodward and Arnold are often around China, or exposure on social media, and why the questions from investors so rarely touch on football matters.
With no investors’ call this time the results will be restricted to brief comments from Woodward in the press release and they will focus on the positives. There might be warm words around the return of fans to Old Trafford and the significant signings made in the summer transfer window, events which will have had a positive impact on the balance sheet at Old Trafford.
But the announcement of the first-quarter results, up to September 30, 2021, come at a difficult time. While the financial picture might be positive, the on-pitch picture isn’t. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job still hangs in the balance and results have meant their title challenge is all but over already. The five-point gap to the top four is an on-pitch problem at the moment but if it widens it will become problematic financially as well.
Woodward’s biggest decision between now and his departure from Old Trafford is likely to revolve around Solskjaer.
United will be desperate to try and get to the end of the season with the Norwegian in charge, but results will dictate whether that is possible.
It won’t be Woodward’s call to make a change, but his advice to the Glazers carries weight.