Manchester United announced withdrawal from the Super League at 11pm last night. It ended a frenetic two days of anger, confusion, and soul-searching for United fans.
The club cannot just act like nothing has happened. The way the Super League plans were conducted and announced were vulgar, with the club lacking conviction to even tweet them out.
There is a lot of damage which has been done, and United neede to repair the goodwill which has been lost.
Ed Woodward’s resignation is a start. But we have to wait until the end of December for him to leave, which means there is one more transfer window for him to hover in the background.
Lets take a look at what comes next for United, short-term and long-term…
The Glazers cannot get off this time
There is huge outrage from Manchester United fans towards the Glazers. Woodward is going, and he was their frontman, their protection.
Their treacherous scheming is out in the open now, and there is a chance now for fans to ramp up protests, and really be united.
This can put more pressure on the FA, and Government, to impose sanctions and look at new recommended ownership models to give power back to supporters.
Perhaps stung by outrage, and seeing their Super League project collapse, they will seek to sell. It would be overdue.
Who replaces Woodward?
United have to start planning for Woodward’s successor, and this may depend on the Glazers, whether they stay or go.
This will affect the type of candidate United can attract. A dream option would be a true football figure like Edwin van der Sar. But would he really want to work under the Glazers?
In an ideal world, Woodward will be staying on purely to facilitate the Glazers’ departure.
Make no mistake, this is an opportunity for United. Woodward has got it wrong again and again. We need somebody who understands football, who would know not to pursue projects like the Super League.
There’s a season to finish
We can start to look towards football again and excitedly anticipate the finish to the season.
United visit Elland Road in the league for the first time since 2004/05. It could be quite an occasion. And then there is a match against Liverpool, as we look to tie up a top four spot and deny them one.
Most exciting of all is the Europa League semi-finals and then final. United can end this season with silverware.
It would have been so unfair if this opportunity was stripped away. Now the players must seize the chance to go on and win the trophy.
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