Ed Woodward 2019 - Until all Arctic ice melts edition

Sandikan

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How many people would still be allowed to run a football club despite more than half, and fast approaching a decade of failure?
The Glazers see that he's increased revenue hugely in that period so will not class it failure in the way that you do.
 

Adam-Utd

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And yet we finished 2nd and decided to build on that by purchasing a 3rd choice goalkeeper, a back up rookie RB and a back up midfielder. All words.
Mourinho chose stupid targets and then threw out his dummy when the board didn't agree.

If Woodward messes up this summer then the jury is out.
 

Speedicut75

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But surely revenue falls as United do? They can’t keep painting this picture if we’re finishing 10th
I guess, like Ed opined last summer: "Playing performance doesn't have a meaningful impact on what we can do on the commercial side of the business." Makes my teeth itch even when typing it. However, that's the mindset we're dealing with; but there must be a tipping-point, or critical mass to be reached, when a football team starts to struggle when they no longer convince at playing football?
 

GiddyUp

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Mourinho chose stupid targets and then threw out his dummy when the board didn't agree.

If Woodward messes up this summer then the jury is out.
And in hindsight Willian, Peresic and Alderweireld would have made a world of difference to this season. All three would have been a massive upgrade on the shit our current players in those positions think is acceptable. Our attack would have benefited and our defense more organized but Ed thought better. And he was fecking dead wrong.
 

MadDogg

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And in hindsight Willian, Peresic and Alderweireld would have made a world of difference to this season. All three would have been a massive upgrade on the shit our current players in those positions think is acceptable. Our attack would have benefited and our defense more organized but Ed thought better. And he was fecking dead wrong.
I didn't really watch them myself, but my understanding is that both Willian and Peresic had terrible seasons, both looking like they may already be on the downward trend.
 

AJ10

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And in hindsight Willian, Peresic and Alderweireld would have made a world of difference to this season. All three would have been a massive upgrade on the shit our current players in those positions think is acceptable. Our attack would have benefited and our defense more organized but Ed thought better. And he was fecking dead wrong.
I wouldn't say world of difference but yes they would have made a difference. Alderweireld or anyone who is a good defender is welcome but willian + perisic would have cost 60+ mil each (:lol:) and they'd have at best 3 decent season as they weren't world beaters at their respective clubs.
 

GiddyUp

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I wouldn't say world of difference but yes they would have made a difference. Alderweireld or anyone who is a good defender is welcome but willian + perisic would have cost 60+ mil each (:lol:) and they'd have at best 3 decent season as they weren't world beaters at their respective clubs.
True, not the best of targets but one came of the back of a very credible WC and Willian's passing range puts Rashford/Martial/Lingard to fecking shame. Even then what gives Woodward the balls to say no, the players we have are better. He's been pro ed absolutely wrong on those decisions.
 

Sandikan

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But surely revenue falls as United do? They can’t keep painting this picture if we’re finishing 10th
Have a look at the numbers, nothing is falling.
They say themselves our numbers don't even get affected by success! Which is brilliant and worrying in equal measure
 

crossy1686

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Have a look at the numbers, nothing is falling.
They say themselves our numbers don't even get affected by success! Which is brilliant and worrying in equal measure
There has to be a point where it stops though. I mean unless they're literally running United as some sort of marketing company behind the scene's, meaning the football is just a front. Wouldn't surprise me anymore to be honest.
 

Eyepopper

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I just don't get what he hopes to achieve, footballing wise, by stating this. And that's probably the reason. It's a statement to say on pitch is rubbish but look here I still make ye money.Let me keep my job
They are from a compulsory conference call for investors around 3rd q results.
 

AJ10

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True, not the best of targets but one came of the back of a very credible WC and Willian's passing range puts Rashford/Martial/Lingard to fecking shame. Even then what gives Woodward the balls to say no, the players we have are better. He's been pro ed absolutely wrong on those decisions.
Of course the manager should be in control of the players he wants to bring in but at the same time, I don't have a problem with that tool saying no to willian (6 goals and 7 assists ) and Perisic (11 goals and 9 assists) who will most likely only give 2/3 years of decent performances and they'd cost 60+ mil each and They wouldn't have helped us win the CL/Prem which is why Alexis was swapped and paid stupid wages as he had the potential to help win the title with our team. Plus jose also wanted that injury prone guy from Fc Bayern. In few years time we'd be stacked with Old players who need replacing while we sold our young ones to bring in these old lot. <For that reason alone i don't have a problem with that tool saying no, as I don't want to see United being a pensioners club.

Both of those players have been average for their respective clubs, so not sure how Woody is proven wrong.

Woodwards at fault for giving LVG and Jose the job,which shows lack of planning/understand of how United should play football. Bringing in LVG (for max of 3 years), a possession based manager + one who likes to play youth was given hundreds of millions then sacked him and then got a park the bus manager and expected him to play younger players and good football when he's known for favouring ready made players rather than dealing with potential.

Stupid, Stupid man.
 

MadDogg

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And in hindsight Willian, Peresic and Alderweireld would have made a world of difference to this season. All three would have been a massive upgrade on the shit our current players in those positions think is acceptable. Our attack would have benefited and our defense more organized but Ed thought better. And he was fecking dead wrong.
On top of what I mentioned above (that both Willian and Perisic had poor seasons), it should also be remembered that all the signs pointed towards us attempting to sign Perisic and Alderweireld (not sure about Willian). Their clubs just refused to sell for what we felt were reasonable figures. Should we really be spending massive amounts for players who are approaching 30?

We spent 40m on Matic, and in hindsight that was a mistake as he was only good for 6 months before falling away significantly. From memory Inter were asking for 55m for Perisic. Considering his performances this season, that most definitely would have looked like an expensive mistake. And Spurs were demanding something like 65m for Alderweireld, for a 29yo that would be available for 25m the very next season (and had missed quite a lot of games that season through injury).
 

BlueHaze

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Here we go again with the daft briefings.. With the shambolic way our season went what they should do is make their deals as quickly as possible to make a statement. Now watch half of the window go to waste doing nothing.
 

Someone

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Have a look at the numbers, nothing is falling.
They say themselves our numbers don't even get affected by success! Which is brilliant and worrying in equal measure
There'll be a turning point surely if we fail to catch up. Luckily we're still too strong financially to fade away.
 

Fluctuation0161

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Of course the manager should be in control of the players he wants to bring in but at the same time, I don't have a problem with that tool saying no to willian (6 goals and 7 assists ) and Perisic (11 goals and 9 assists) who will most likely only give 2/3 years of decent performances and they'd cost 60+ mil each and They wouldn't have helped us win the CL/Prem which is why Alexis was swapped and paid stupid wages as he had the potential to help win the title with our team. Plus jose also wanted that injury prone guy from Fc Bayern. In few years time we'd be stacked with Old players who need replacing while we sold our young ones to bring in these old lot. <For that reason alone i don't have a problem with that tool saying no, as I don't want to see United being a pensioners club.

Both of those players have been average for their respective clubs, so not sure how Woody is proven wrong.

Woodwards at fault for giving LVG and Jose the job,which shows lack of planning/understand of how United should play football. Bringing in LVG (for max of 3 years), a possession based manager + one who likes to play youth was given hundreds of millions then sacked him and then got a park the bus manager and expected him to play younger players and good football when he's known for favouring ready made players rather than dealing with potential.

Stupid, Stupid man.
He really is clueless. Even if he's only aiming for top 4. Lurching from LVG to Jose after investing heavily in players suited to LVG was mind numbingly stupid.
 

Sterling Archer

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The Goalkeeper jersey is one more remarkable flub. And yes, it does fall on his feckin shoulders.
 

doriandun

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Of course the manager should be in control of the players he wants to bring in but at the same time, I don't have a problem with that tool saying no to willian (6 goals and 7 assists ) and Perisic (11 goals and 9 assists) who will most likely only give 2/3 years of decent performances and they'd cost 60+ mil each and They wouldn't have helped us win the CL/Prem which is why Alexis was swapped and paid stupid wages as he had the potential to help win the title with our team. Plus jose also wanted that injury prone guy from Fc Bayern. In few years time we'd be stacked with Old players who need replacing while we sold our young ones to bring in these old lot. <For that reason alone i don't have a problem with that tool saying no, as I don't want to see United being a pensioners club.

Both of those players have been average for their respective clubs, so not sure how Woody is proven wrong.

Woodwards at fault for giving LVG and Jose the job,which shows lack of planning/understand of how United should play football. Bringing in LVG (for max of 3 years), a possession based manager + one who likes to play youth was given hundreds of millions then sacked him and then got a park the bus manager and expected him to play younger players and good football when he's known for favouring ready made players rather than dealing with potential.

Stupid, Stupid man.
The difference is both would of performed at a higher level for Mourinho, just look back to when Jose feel out with Hazard, William was still putting in a good performance, their work rate would of being higher as that comes natural for them, they would of given Pogba the movement that he craves to make use of his number one asset, his long range passing.

Those two players would of taken the pressure of Pogba, and Rashford, why i did not include Martial is i would of sold him personally.

Pogba would not feel obligated to carry the team, or start all of the team attacks, Rashford would be the understudy in three positions, playing as cover for Lukaku, and both Perisic and William, giving him time to develop his game, so in two to three years he can take the mantle of either one of the two William or Peresic, Greenwood would of also being able to be introduced slowly, rather than be thrown in the deep end, Linguard would be relegated to the bench or sold and those two players would of given the team width.

Today we have three maybe four inconsistent players, which as a result means our results fluctuates, the three in question are Pogba, Rashford and Martial, the fourth being Linguard.

The most irritaing thing to see in football is a team who when a players get the ball, continaully pass it to one player, and not stepping up and taking responsibilty.

People talk about Jose teams parking the bus, but that couldn't be further from the truth, his philosphy is about having a good defensive shape and struture, quick transistions, being confident about controlling the game, with or without the ball, concerntration and football intelligence.

As a side note the club could of sold Darmian, Jones and Rojo for a total sum of lets say 30 mill and picked up Maguire for lets say 70 mill, thats an outlay of 40 mill for a defender who could start attacks, comfortable on the ball, would be sound defensively and offer an attacking presence on set pieces and still has years left in the tank.

Bailly could of also being sold if his form did not pick up Jnauary gone or alternatively Smalling, thus reducing the total outlay on the two players above, lets say we paid 110 mill for both players, surely Smalling or Bailly can easily command £25 mill, so thats about 85 mill outlay over the two seasons.
 
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Fosu-Mens

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Here we go again with the daft briefings.. With the shambolic way our season went what they should do is make their deals as quickly as possible to make a statement. Now watch half of the window go to waste doing nothing.
The club prefers to spread out the transfers to keep the interest in the club as high as possible during the summer.
 

Rhyme Animal

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So, where's the DoF that was gonna be appointed before the cheap option manager appeared...?

And why is Woodward briefing the press instead of just making signings...?

Ah, I dunno. I'm starting to think Ole has just been appointed as a 'yes man' manager who's grateful to be here,
 
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AJ10

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The difference is both would of performed at a higher level for Mourinho, just look back to when Jose feel out with Hazard, William was still putting in a good performance, their work rate would of being higher as that comes natural for them, they would of given Pogba the movement that he craves to make use of his number one asset, his long range passing.

Those two players would of taken the pressure of Pogba, and Rashford, why i did not include Martial is i would of sold him personally.

Pogba would not feel obligated to carry the team, or start all of the team attacks, Rashford would be the understudy in three positions, playing as cover for Lukaku, and both Perisic and William, giving him time to develop his game, so in two to three years he can take the mantle of either one of the two William or Peresic, Greenwood would of also being able to be introduced slowly, rather than be thrown in the deep end, Linguard would be relegated to the bench or sold and lastly it would give the team width.

Today we have three maybe four inconsistent players, which as a result means our results fluctuates, the three in question are Pogba, Rashford and Martial, the fourth being Linguard.

The most irritaing thing to see in football is a team who when a players get the ball, continaully pass it to one player, and not stepping up and taking responsibilty.

People talk about Jose teams parking the bus, but that couldn't be further from the truth, his philosphy is about having a good defensive shape and struture, quick transistions, being confident about controlling the game, with or without the ball, concerntration and football intelligence.

As a side note the club could of sold Darmian, Jones and Rojo for a total sum of lets say 30 mill and picked up Maguire for lets say 70 mill, thats an outlay of 40 mill for a defender who could start attacks, comfortable on the ball, would be sound defensively and offer an attcking presence on set pieces and still has years left in the tank.

Bailly could of also being sold if his form did not pick up Jnauary gone or alternatively Smalling, thus reducing the total outlay on the two players above, lets say we paid 110 mill for both players, surely Smalling or Bailly can easily command £25 mill, so thats about 85 mill outlay over the two seasons.
During Chelsea's title winning team in 2014-15 Willian had 2 Goals and 3 Assists then next season 5 Goals and 6 assists not sure how thats sensible investment to make for 60 mil. I am sure they would have worked harder but It all sounds good in theory as Willian and perisic have never been consistent them self (in terms of output) otherwise wingers going for crazy money would get more goals and assists (which are the main attributes I'd look for). As I said before they wouldn't have helped us win Prem/CL as they're nothing special considering the money required whereas Sanchez despite the money paid to him was worth considering as he had a proven record of scoring plenty of goals, sadly it didn't work out. To each his own but I just don't see any Value in them when you consider the money involved and their mediocre output.

Only time we got some decent football from jose was start of last season where we went on a good run but after jose parked the bus vs a out of form pool side then we went downhill from there. Towards the end of the last season and start of this season, there seemed as if we had no intention to even attempt an attack but just chuck it to Fellaini up front later on, no team is going to beat city to the title with those tactics.

Its easier to look at it that way but you also have to consider whether Maguire is worth the 70 mil, so far he's shown nothing which even comes close other than being English and can pass little bit (so gets hyped) and spending 110 mil on 2 players who will give only 2/3 season isn't smart at all unless they were clearly the missing puzzles which they weren't.

Jose clearly didn't have the players he needed to play whatever type of football he wanted to play but he did have lots of money to spend before and didn't even come close to actually fixing our weakness e.g. We needed a First Team RB but started Young/Valencia, We needed a Good Older CB but we got potential (Potential can be inconsistent, they were), We needed a RW but he played bloody Mata there, We needed a young DM but got Matic who was already falling of the cliff at Chelsea. He just wasted alot of money on players we didn't urgently require.
 

Rafaeldagold

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So confirmation we’re keeping Ole after awful awful form & zero sign of progress or any sense of a style of football being implemented.

Another season of no direction & mediocrity- Would any club who think they’re one of the best in the world have kept Ole & given him MORE money..we don’t act like a big club anymore- We’ve settled & it’s quite sad
 

Bastian

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So, where's the DoF that was gonna appointed before the cheap option manager appeared...?

And why is Woodward briefing the press instead of just making signings...?

Ah, I dunno. I'm starting to think Ole has just been appointed as a 'yes man' manager who's grateful to be here,
The quotes from today are because of the quarterly financial conference call. Of course, he has to say something about a direction forward given the diabolical state of things.

If he had any sense he would have introduced a competent DoF today who would be invested with powers to oversee the long-term footballing decisions at the club.
 

TwoSheds

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Could he sound any less like he knows what he's talking about? It's like he's been reading an American manual on how to be a soccer club president.
 

RedDevilUnited369

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Amateurish. He should know this the line the media are going to run with. Thus fuelling the fire for added pressure to get in the targets, leading to everyone taking advantage of the UTD Tax.
 

GiddyUp

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I didn't really watch them myself, but my understanding is that both Willian and Peresic had terrible seasons, both looking like they may already be on the downward trend.
So no different to the shit we have now except they would have brought competition and maybe raised the level a bit. We may have been rinsed in the fee but both players would more then likely offered a lot more then what was given by our current players.
On top of what I mentioned above (that both Willian and Perisic had poor seasons), it should also be remembered that all the signs pointed towards us attempting to sign Perisic and Alderweireld (not sure about Willian). Their clubs just refused to sell for what we felt were reasonable figures. Should we really be spending massive amounts for players who are approaching 30?

We spent 40m on Matic, and in hindsight that was a mistake as he was only good for 6 months before falling away significantly. From memory Inter were asking for 55m for Perisic. Considering his performances this season, that most definitely would have looked like an expensive mistake. And Spurs were demanding something like 65m for Alderweireld, for a 29yo that would be available for 25m the very next season (and had missed quite a lot of games that season through injury).
I agree with all of you're points. I would also add that these players could have come here and done a good job. Nothing is known in football until it's known. I still remember my peacock walk the day Di Maria emwas signed.
 

Jam

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On top of what I mentioned above (that both Willian and Perisic had poor seasons), it should also be remembered that all the signs pointed towards us attempting to sign Perisic and Alderweireld (not sure about Willian). Their clubs just refused to sell for what we felt were reasonable figures. Should we really be spending massive amounts for players who are approaching 30?

We spent 40m on Matic, and in hindsight that was a mistake as he was only good for 6 months before falling away significantly. From memory Inter were asking for 55m for Perisic. Considering his performances this season, that most definitely would have looked like an expensive mistake. And Spurs were demanding something like 65m for Alderweireld, for a 29yo that would be available for 25m the very next season (and had missed quite a lot of games that season through injury).
In general sentiment I agree with you wholeheartedly. We should be looking for younger, better players in order to sustainably build a long term team.

But what we need to remember is if we signed either Perisic or Alderweireld realistically all we'd need is a handful of good performances to make up the difference between us and a top four finish; thereby negating their fee.
 

Sterling Archer

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Amateurish. He should know this the line the media are going to run with. Thus fuelling the fire for added pressure to get in the targets, leading to everyone taking advantage of the UTD Tax.
He is awful isn't he? Worse the quote is less about supporting Ole and more of Woodward flexing about Uniteds spending capability..
 

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Amateurish. He should know this the line the media are going to run with. Thus fuelling the fire for added pressure to get in the targets, leading to everyone taking advantage of the UTD Tax.
The money is always out there. But our negotiators suck in getting a player. So in the end, we will end up with 2 or 3 players who were 2nd or 3rd choice
 

always_hoping

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I started labeling Woodward an idiot back in 2013.
I maintain my opinion.
Same here and beggars belief how he is still allowed to deal with transfers and player wages/contracts. When will someone at the club shout stop?!
 

Class of 63

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The money is always out there. But our negotiators suck in getting a player. So in the end, we will end up with 2 or 3 players who were 2nd or 3rd choice
So?

Eric Cantona was SAF's 4th choice and Steve Bruce was 5th or 6th choice and there's loads of other examples. In fact you could count on the fingers of one hand how many times SAF got his preferred choice for any position even when we were by a country-mile the best team in the land and one of the most feared teams in Europe, don't recall too many fans criticising our negotiators back then.
 
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RedDevil@84

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So?

Eric Cantona was SAF's 4th choice and Steve Bruce was 5th or 6th choice and there's loads of other examples. In fact you could count on the fingers of one hand how many times SAF got his preferred choice for any position even when we were by a country-mile the best team in the land and one of the most feared teams in Europe, don't recall too many fans criticising our negotiators back then.
So??

Are all 2nd or 3rd choice players Cantona s?
 

K2K

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Amateurish. He should know this the line the media are going to run with. Thus fuelling the fire for added pressure to get in the targets, leading to everyone taking advantage of the UTD Tax.
This rent-a-quote idiot.

With him in charge I've made peace with regular finishes between 5th and 7th with sporadic UCL appearances going forward.

He won't walk and the Glazers won't fire him. He will keep chopping and changing managers with the next one completely different from the last.
 

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In general sentiment I agree with you wholeheartedly. We should be looking for younger, better players in order to sustainably build a long term team.

But what we need to remember is if we signed either Perisic or Alderweireld realistically all we'd need is a handful of good performances to make up the difference between us and a top four finish; thereby negating their fee.
Alternatively, Mourinho could have asked for players that weren't so massively overpriced, and Woodward surely would have bought them and they could have proven the difference while also providing value for money. Either older players who were a bit cheaper, or younger players that he would have been willing to spend more on (such as Fred, although he does look overpriced in hindsight). If we hadn't had such a bad season we would have been saying Woodward did a good job by trying to reduce how often we are taken to the cleaners by selling clubs. Unfortunately it didn't work out, partly because of Mourinho throwing a tantrum because he didn't get those players.
 

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Ed Woodward has ruined the club, I thought he's done well commercially but now I'm thinking we need him out of this club, we are a football club with history and that should come first before anything. Woody get the feck out!!!!
 

Scroto Baggins

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Found this from a few months ago. Has some interesting points about Woodward.

https://lazyfansports.com/ed-woodward-problem
Pretty damning if true.

Call me old fashioned but im a big believer in the manager having control of the footballing aspect of the team. Not the bean counters and certainly not Ed fecking Woodward. There should be a delineation between these roles, Mourinho did not have a say in financing and capital investment at the club, which is as it should be, he is at the club for his footballing expertise. But he should of been the final authority on the footballing side of the club.

Mkhi and Bailly signed behind Mourinho's back? Woodward refusing names Jose put forth because they were not superstar status? Refusing defenders Jose wanted because defenders are not worth big money investment? Meanwhile Pep gets backed to sign defensive players to the tune of 210mil. And Liverpool splash out a record fee for VVD.

I guess this is what comes from measuring success as a statistic on a financial balance sheet. Rather than on trophies and glory on the pitch.
 

DavidDeSchmikes

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Amateurish. He should know this the line the media are going to run with. Thus fuelling the fire for added pressure to get in the targets, leading to everyone taking advantage of the UTD Tax.
Ed Woodward in July 2014: "We can do things in the transfer market that other clubs can only dream of. Watch this space