Ed Woodward reveals lack of foresight at Manchester United

Manchester United’s Ed Woodward may be a nice man, but he doesn’t know how to set up a football club for long-term success

Ed Woodward is a man without a plan for Manchester United. His latest comments during a call with the club’s investors show that he has no real strategy for restoring the club to its past glory.

More from Playing for 90

• Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
• Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
• Barcelona put five past Real Betis
• Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
• Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory

Perhaps the most telling part of the call was when one investor questions Manchester United’s ability to compete with Leicester City despite the obvious disparity between the costs of the two squads. The Manchester Evening reports that Woodward gave a passing compliment to the Foxes’ higher-ups but went on to explain how United had to buy players who could perform at a world-class level almost immediately. The Premier League leaders, on the other hand, can purchase players with an eye towards developing them for a year or two.

In just that one response, Woodward reveals the real problem with United at the moment. They are only concerned with players that can be quick fixes. This causes them to splash massive amounts of cash year after year in hopes of a meteoric rise back to prominence. They do so, while ignoring their need to build a pipeline of players for their future.

Sure, bringing in world-class stars is a fun thing for Woodward and United fans. I’m not advocating for a second that part of his job shouldn’t be trying to bring in ready-made superstars. He should spend plenty of time chasing the likes of Neymar and Ronaldo. Even if he can’t actually sign them, being linked with these stars helps further the Manchester United brand. If he does sign them, then they are a safe bet to improve the squad immediately. It’s a win-win scenario.

What I am suggesting, is that Woodward’s error is that he only spends time trying to acquire this ready-made superstars. He should be chasing these types of players while also spending considerable time and money on prospects who may take several years to develop. United fans may bristle at the suggestion that they should be more like Chelsea, but is there any reason that the Blues have a cadre of young talent out on loan every year while United does nothing?

More from Editorials

• Subpar officiating remains a bugaboo for Liga MX clubs and fans alike
• Luis Rubiales must go as president of the Spanish FA
• Manchester City and their enigmatic coach stand on the cusp of greatness
• Africa U-20 Nations Cup: Feeder system for exploitation of young talent?
• Lionel Messi: The Greatest of All Time

Woodward has gone nearly a year without replacing Brian McClair as the director of the United academy. He just recently announced the completion of the academy’s restructuring, but it’s a process that’s drug on much too long. What could possibly have been more important than getting that job done? If the academy truly is the lifeblood of the club, as Woodward claims, it should have been his top priority.

The point is that Manchester United has the resources to do what Leicester City has done and what their financial might will allow. It’s not an either-or choice for Ed Woodward. If he doesn’t have enough hours in the day to manage all of those processes then he should simply hire more help. It’s not as if United cannot afford it.

Related Story: Jose Mourinho would bring chaos to Manchester United

For England’s most historic club to regain its foothold at the top of the Premier League, it’s going to need significant investment in players who can help right away, and who can develop into superstars three years from now. If Woodward continues to solely focus on the former, he’ll just be throwing cash at the Old Trafford wall in hopes that it will stick.