Woodward makes Man Utd spending promise amid ‘extra caution’ hint

Ed Woodward Man Utd

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward says the club will continue to support “long-term investment” in the team, but with “extra caution”.

Teams across Europe are scaling back their spending amid the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

United are no different, with Woodward admitting as much with his comments in April.

Those admissions, however, came before the Red Devils’ net debt rose to £429.1million. Woodward later promised United would continue to “weather these current challenges“.

The uncertainty over spending comes amid continued transfer links with the likes of Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, who – at around £100million – remains boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top target.

Writing in his latest programme notes on Wednesday, Woodward promised that United would not cease their spending completely.

“The ongoing disruption from the pandemic – and the economic pressures it has created – has shown why it is so important for football clubs to focus on their financial stability,” he wrote (via the Daily Express).

“We are fortunate to have a strong and resilient commercial business which has supported long-term investment in our team.

“That will continue, albeit with extra caution in the coming months as we navigate our way through this uncertain period.”

 

 

United’s finances will largely depend on whether they qualify for next season’s Champions League on Sunday.

Solskjaer‘s side, who sit third, need a point against the fifth-placed Foxes to guarantee a top-four Premier League finish.

However, should that not happen, United will likely have to scale back their spending further.

Not only will they miss out on the lucrative bonus of qualifying for the competition, but they will incur penalties from kit supplier adidas as part of their £750million partnership.

TWO TO FOLLOW SANCHO TO UNITED?

The latest speculation claims that United will be looking to add one or two more signings after Sancho this summer.

While Sancho is the club’s top target, previous reports have said they want a striker and a centre-back.

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone has claimed that, in an ideal scenario, United will expect a busy period of spending.

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