Woodward defends transfer strategy
United chief puts faith in youth for future success Solskjaer given backing despite team’s poor start
Ed Woodward has launched a staunch defence of Manchester United’s summer transfer business, despite the club already counting the cost of their failure to strengthen in midfield and attack.
United’s 2-0 loss at West Ham on Sunday was the eighth defeat in 17 matches under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since he was appointed permanent manager in March and the club already trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 10 points after six games. The poor start has placed fresh scrutiny on their transfer dealings, with injuries to Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and now Marcus Rashford leaving an already unbalanced squad stretched and increasingly dependent on inexperienced youngsters.
With 17-year-old Mason Greenwood also suffering from tonsillitis, United could face Rochdale in the Carabao Cup third round tonight without a recognised striker.
It has raised questions about the decision not to bring in replacements for strikers Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, who joined Inter permanently and on loan respectively, or midfielders Ander Herrera, who signed for Paris Stgermain as a free agent, and Marouane Fellaini, who departed for China in January.
United also failed to recruit a recognised right-winger, despite longstanding problems in that position.
But Woodward defended the club’s summer business – which brought the arrival of defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-bissaka and winger Daniel James – and said the approach had opened the door for emerging talents and that the foundations were being put in place for future success.
Speaking to investors on a conference call as United announced record revenues of £627.1 million for 2018-19, the club’s executive vice-chairman said: “The sale and loaning of players this summer has also allowed the manager to involve more of our young players and to provide a firm foundation and culture ready for building the next trophy-winning squad.
“We feel the players we have signed this summer demonstrate this approach is the right one. Returning to the roots of our club’s ethos of youth-led, attacking football is the right way forward and everyone at the club remains resolute in our desire to get Manchester United back to the top of English football.”
Whether United opt to bring in a technical director as planned to assist the recruitment process remains to be seen. Although Woodward said the club were “continually reviewing the potential to evolve our structure on the football side”, he implied they were happy with the current recruitment set-up.
Woodward has pledged his full support to Solskjaer and insisted United’s early season troubles will not derail the longer-term rebuilding process. “It’s important that we are patient while Ole and his team build for the future,” he said. “We will continue to focus on the long-term strategy.”