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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Ed Woodward’s latest claim about Manchester United’s transfer business shows beyond all reasonable doubt that he is completely out of touch with the fans’ ambitions for the club.
What’s he said?
After a summer of activity that left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with just three striking options, two of which are now injured, Woodward has now claimed the club are doing the right things in the market.
In part of a long statement insisting the club are on the right path with their long-term strategy, he said, via talkSPORT: “Much of the speculation on this type of role (director of football) focuses purely on recruitment – an area we’ve evolved in recent years.
“As already mentioned, we feel that the players we’ve signed this summer demonstrate that this approach is the right one.”
Is this a joke?
“This approach is the right one.” Seriously Ed?
The club’s approach, if you can even call it that, as that would imply there is actual strategy behind it, has left Solskjaer in a situation where he had no choice but to throw Jesse Lingard on up front against West Ham.
That’s the Lingard. You know, the one that hasn’t registered a goal or assist in the Premier League since December 2018. Yeah, that one.
With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford both injured, the gaffer has one recognised striker, and for all his undeniable potential, heaping the responsibility of one of the biggest football clubs in the world onto 17 year-old Mason Greenwood’s shoulders is a monumental risk and downright foolish.
The worst part? Romelu Lukaku – that bloke who has 113 Premier League goals at the tender age of 26 – is enjoying a great start at Inter, and for all his woes last season, would surely be getting plenty of playing time at Old Trafford right now given the current circumstances.
Is the Belgian any worse than Rashford? Probably not if the fans’ verdict on the Englishman is anything to go by.
“This approach is the right one.” Remember those six words next time Solskjaer is throwing teenagers on in the faint hope of claiming victory from the jaws of defeat.
For a fan base with ambitions of lifting trophies every single season, Woodward’s comments are a slap in the face, and show he is completely out of touch with reality. They have every right to be outraged.
