Van Gaal backs Woodward after Pedro transfer saga
Man United vice-chairman back in the spotlight after Pedro deal, despite big-name signings
Manchester United may have spent £80m this summer and signed big-name players including Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, but their failure to land Pedro this week has prompted more scrutiny of their transfer dealings and the role of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
United's aborted efforts to sign Pedro, who eventually joined Chelsea on Thursday, were reminiscent of the David Moyes era, when United tried to sign Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Gareth Bale but ended up with Marouane Fellaini.
This time Woodward flew to Spain to finalise a deal, only to return empty handed after United decided they didn't want the player after all. To compound matters it is clear that United are still chasing players with just over a week before the transfer window shuts.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"What has been viewed as a good summer of business so far for United is in danger of turning," says the Daily Telegraph. "Deciding not to sign Pedro is not in itself a problem, but the fact that Woodward flew to Barcelona on Monday with the terms of his transfer on his agenda (even if, intriguingly, it was not the only piece of business discussed) makes it more so.
"It is hard to believe that United did not sign Pedro because Woodward was quibbling over payment schedules. That [Louis] Van Gaal was, ultimately, unsure is a more credible theory but it does not stop Woodward being blamed."
The manager has backed Woodward in the aftermath of the Pedro affair, reports the BBC. "Every day I am updated by him and I trust him," said Van Gaal, who added that United's chief did his job "very well".
But while transfer gossip is often misleading, a graphic of a Man Utd XI made up of players the club have failed to sign this summer has been doing the rounds on Twitter.
Alongside Pedro are players like Nicolas Otamendi (now at Manchester City), Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale of Real Madrid,
Worryingly, United appear to have been used, not for the first time, as a patsy by stars in Spain looking for improved contracts.
"Barcelona and Real Madrid defenders Dani Alves and Sergio Ramos were both heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford before penning lucrative new deals," notes the Daily Mail. "It points to a scattergun strategy at odds with what has gone before when United always seemed to get their man."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Jim Ratcliffe: petrochemical billionaire turned Man Utd bidder
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Ineos owner is the first to publicly bid for the 13-time Premier League winners
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Reactions to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘explosive’ interview with Piers Morgan
feature Portugal captain feels ‘betrayed’ by Man Utd and believes he’s being forced out of the club
By Mike Starling Published
-
What next for Cristiano Ronaldo? How the relationship with Man Utd turned sour
Under the Radar Portugal star has ‘almost certainly’ played his last game for United as he is dropped for Chelsea clash
By Mike Starling Published
-
Manchester United: does Erik ten Hag have the ‘golden touch’?
feature Prevailing mood at Old Trafford was reminiscent of ‘how it felt during the golden years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign’
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Playing the long game: will the Glazers sell Manchester United?
Under the Radar Supporters’ pain ‘might go on for some time yet’, but win over Liverpool has lifted spirits
By The Week Staff Published