Manchester United are in talks over giving Ed Woodward a new role, reports say. The 50-year-old has been operating as the Red Devils’ executive vice-chairman ever since 2013, when David Gill quit the club. And though Woodward resigned after the European Super League fiasco, it seems he may now be poised to help out at the club beyond the end of the year.
United, under Woodward, have fallen.
When he took over from Gill in 2013, the Red Devils had just been crowned Premier League champions after finishing 11 points ahead of Manchester City.
But, in the time since, United have struggled to reach the same lofty heights.
Woodward has overseen the turbulent managerial reigns of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so far.
And the Red Devils are yet to win the Premier League or Champions League titles, despite spending plenty of money.
Back in April, Woodward tendered his resignation from his post after the collapse of the European Super League.
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United have apparently, according to other reports, held talks about possibly axing the Norwegian.
But with a lack of alternatives out there, it’s possible they’ll choose to stick, rather than twist.
Regarding Solskjaer’s future, United legend Rio Ferdinand thinks it’s the right time for his team-mate to leave.
“He’s done actually what he’s been brought in to do,” Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube channel.
“He’s come in and given the fans hope again, made the fans want to come back and watch your team again.
“He’s done that. He has done a great job in that sense. But is he going to take us to win titles? Is he going to make us challenge to win a Champions League?
“You need the foundations that have been built to fall back on when you are lacking that confidence.
“When you’re thinking a five, a 10-yard ball that is normally easy becomes a difficult ball – the foundations get you through that. We (United) ain’t got that.
“The football club will be living here and breathing here longer than any individual. It’s what’s best for this football club.
“I just feel that maybe it might be time now for the baton to be handed over.
“Who can take us on now? And I think Ole would leave now with his head held high.”
Ferdinand also blamed United players for their current slump.
“I don’t see a philosophy, I don’t see an identity,” he added.
“When I go and watch my team, if they get beaten, that’s fine. It happens.
“But I want to see what they are about. What are you?
“Players aren’t sprinting out and hurting themselves in games. I see that as a disrespect to the manager and almost like, ‘I don’t fear [Solskjaer]’.”
