The murmurs of discontent around Old Trafford after a disappointing summer transfer window and Manchester United’s poor start to the season have not unsettled executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
Woodward and new manager David Moyes have been criticised for their failings in the transfer market after United acquired one signing, Marouane Fellaini, despite chasing a number of high-profile targets.
A director of football has been suggested to add experience, but Woodward insists they won’t appoint one as the club back the manager.
“We don’t want the manager to be a hired gun for the next two or three years,” Woodward told fanzine United We Stand.
“We want the manager to weigh up what is right for the team. He can decide. He is the football expert.
“We have a manager who we want to give our full support to. He has the same power that Alex did.”
Woodward, who took over the role occupied by David Gill at Old Trafford as both he and Sir Alex Ferguson left their roles in the same season, admitted mistakes had been made in the summer.
“It was disappointing that we didn’t sign more players but I always knew it was going to be a tough window,” Woodward said.
The lack of players joining the Premier League champions in the summer resulted in accusations that the United hierarchy had no intention of spending money.
Woodward denies this accusation and insists that the club can and will compete for the best players in the world.
“I don’t like the fact that in the list of 25 players in the Ballon d’Or, we’ll have Robin (van Persie) and Wayne (Rooney),” he said.
The Ballon d’Or, given to the player considered to have performed the best in the previous season, is awarded at the start of every year.
“We, as a club, should be aspiring to have the best players playing for us. We’ve had that in the past. We’re in for players if the manager wants to be,” added Woodward.
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