Does any Manchester United fan like Ed Woodward? He’s a tier down from Mike Ashley in the football villan league tables, but he’s getting there. Indeed, he now needs to forget about his massive ego and invest in the back four he must have thought was good enough last summer.
Jose Mourinho wanted more defensive signings last summer, with Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld being mentioned. So, Woodward must have thought he knew better than the three-time Premier League winner to block (as per ESPN via the Daily Express) any move in a power play that ultimately led to Mourinho’s sacking.
Mourinho knew it, the fans knew it and now finally it seems Ed Woodward might know it. United’s back line is not good enough to play open, expansive football and not concede goals by the bucket load. Even now the excitement is back at Old Trafford, the team still look at sea facing their own goal.
Woodward’s ego must be huge. To be a businessman, be gifted a job on the football side of the club and then think he knows more than Mourinho is criminal. He was wrong and he must swallow his pride and rectify his mistake or risk United remaining in Premier League purgatory.
Not challenging, but not being mid-table.
United need a commanding voice at the back. Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling aren’t bad centre-backs at all, but they both need a leader like a Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic to organise them. Some players aren’t natural leaders, and that’s okay, but it’s down to the people like Woodward to identify who can be that leader and sign him up.
This isn’t good enough for Manchester United, and the problem runs right through the club. Woodward needs to be placed back on the commercial side and a director of football needs to be appointed. This is arguably the biggest club in the world and it’s run so poorly it’s hard to believe.
Whoever the manager is next season, he needs to be backed with cash for defenders. Left-backs, right-backs, centre-backs, the lot. They need a complete reshuffle and only Woodward can commission that.
Manchester United fans, what is your ideal back line for next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…