The Mail has published a scathing assessment of Ed Woodward’s suitability for his role at Manchester United.

The report paints a picture of Woodward being unpopular with United staff on the football side, and incompetent at transfer dealings.

This summer there are so many gaps left to fill in the squad that the three signings made have brought only tempered enthusiasm.

One prediction the paper makes is that United end up spending £70 million on Sean Longstaff next summer.

We think they are joking. We hope they are joking. We never know with Woodward.

This is owing to United failing to get a deal done early this summer, and Woodward’s record of belated overspending.

(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Harry Maguire, a target once recommended by David Moyes, is a prime example. Once £4 million, now £80 million.

 

Steve Bruce’s appointment at Newcastle ended United’s hopes of landing Longstaff this summer, with the club upping their price to £50 million.

If United had been organised early in the summer when Newcastle were in disarray, a deal might have been simpler and far cheaper.

(Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

As talented as Longstaff might be, we will see this season, the prospect of paying £70 million seems both scary, and realistic.

Nothing against the player, but this sort of fee would be ridiculous. And it is totally Woodward-like.

The Mail‘s prediction may be half-joking, but United fans have come to learn the hard way that there is nothing too foolish for Woodward when it comes to transfers.

Longstaff 2020, it’s time to prepare. Shall we pre-order our shirts now?

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