Manchester United chief Ed Woodward is meeting with fellow Premier League powerbrokers today to discuss VAR and how the top flight should handle the system going forward.
It has certainly been divisive since making it’s debut this season. There have been numerous talking points regarding it, the latest coming in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola was furious. He refused to say anything to the cameras after the game, biting his tongue and choosing to produce a moody smirk when interrogated about the system.
And, today, Premier League chiefs are meeting to discuss where it’s succeeding – and where it’s going wrong.
But, for Woodward, it’s the ideal time for him to lay down the groundwork for deals for Christian Eriksen and James Maddison.
United are interested in both players. They need two players in the No 10 role with the creative juices that Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard lack.
And coming face to face with the duo today, Woodward can get the ball rolling ahead of the January transfer window.
Certainly, a chat with Daniel Levy about Eriksen is worth a go.
The Tottenham star loathes dealing with United and has done ever since Dimitar Berbatov’s move to Old Trafford back in 2008.
In 2012, he prevented Sir Alex Ferguson from landing Luka Modric, choosing to sell the Croatia international to Real Madrid instead.
And he’s stopped the likes of Gareth Bale, Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld from moving to United in the time since.
With Eriksen, however, things might be different.
Tottenham are preparing to sell the Denmark international in the New Year while they can still get a fee for him. He’s out of contract at the end of the season.
And with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus all seemingly having other transfer targets, United are ready to take full advantage.
Regarding Maddison, and Leicester are under no pressure to sell.
But United want to secure the signature of the playmaker, who is primed to make his England debut against Montenegro tonight.
And Woodward has an ace up his sleeve.
The United chief has a good relationship with opposite number Susan Whelan and used that to get a deal for Harry Maguire done back in the summer.
And he has the ideal chance to ask Whelan about Maddison and how much he’d cost.
Obviously, the main purpose of today’s meeting with Premier League chiefs is to discuss VAR.
But United should test the waters. They’ve slacked in the transfer market too long – so it’s time to avoid a repeat.
