MANCHESTER UNITED ARE prepared to break transfer records in order to give new manager Louis van Gaal the players he wants, according to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
The English giants have already spent over £50 million €63m) on England left-back Luke Shaw and Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera, and Woodward says that they are ready to spend even more.
Some of United’s European rivals have spent big recently. Real Madrid on Tuesday signed James Rodriguez from Monaco for a fee of around £63m, while Barcelona paid Liverpool around £75m for Luis Suarez.
Asked if United were able to pay a similar amount for a player, Woodward said: “It is in our capabilities. The club are not afraid of doing that — spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market.”
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United are rebuilding under Van Gaal after a dismal 2013-14 season and Woodward says that in the context, the club will have no qualms about sanctioning big-money signings.
“Whether it’s a record or not doesn’t really resonate with us,” he added, in comments reported by the British media on Wednesday.
“What resonates is a top, top elite player that the manager wants that is going to be a star for Manchester United. We are in a very strong financial position. We can make big signings.
“I get pointed in the direction of a target that the manager wants and there is an assessment of what that might cost and I’ll negotiate hard to do the best I can on the trade.”
United have been linked with a host of players in recent weeks, including Germany centre-back Mats Hummels, Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen, and the Dutch trio of Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij and Kevin Strootman.
Woodward endured a trying first close-season last year, when United missed out on a succession of major targets, and he admits he still needs to prove his worth to the club’s supporters.
“You gain credibility through experience and through time,” said the former investment banker.
“You can’t expect credibility from day one and I wouldn’t ask that of the fans. You keep learning on the job and I’ll continue to learn for a long period of time.
“I don’t mind reading (criticism), because it’s extremely important for me to listen to the fans. Criticism can change into positive comments over a period of time.”
Goodman Ed. Tell every club you intend on spending big so they can raise the price of the player you are interested by a couple of million.
Keep quiet and do your until you sign the players Van Gal wants.
What?? Juve just won the league!!! Are you having a laugh??? Leave the current italian league winners to go to United who were well off the pace, are out of the champions league????? Yeah they aren’t that far off!! You must be smoking some weird shittttt!!!!
It’s easy talk, who exactly is available that would set a new transfer record? Absolutely no-one, so therefore it’s all just nonsense to try and keep the united fans happy.
I read this on the guardian website this morning….but you could be spot on
“Louis van Gaal has been told he is free to break the world transfer record to bring the right player to Manchester United.
Last year Real Madrid set the record by signing Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for £86m, eclipsing the £80m they had paid United four years earlier for Cristiano Ronaldo. Van Gaal, who will take charge of United for the first time in a friendly against LA Galaxy that kicks off in the early hours of tomorrow morning UK time, has been told his transfer activity will not be constrained by money.”
Less talk, more signatures please. The more I hear from him, the less convinced I feel. Badly need another Cb, jones, smalling and Evans are far to injury prone. Not convinced of smalling’s quality either.
I can see two CB’s coming in ,Vermaelen and de Vrij and getting both for 20/25m would be good business, another midfielder Vidal/ Stroorman type players and a winger Di Maria , Depay, Cuadrado one of those with Depay being the cheapest and best long term option
Big change from last preseason when Woodward left the far east on imminent transfer dealings that “had nothing to do with Rooney & chelsea” and ended up signing Fellaini on the last day. Lucky Moyes was around to blame.
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Goodman Ed. Tell every club you intend on spending big so they can raise the price of the player you are interested by a couple of million.
Keep quiet and do your until you sign the players Van Gal wants.
Thats the Harry Enfield problem with English clubs…. going around waving loadsa money……..
Vidal and hummels will do fine thanks.
As if either would go to United from the team they play for!! Come on guys be serious!!!!
Dave I would understand your argument if it was Real, Barca or Bayern, but at the moment Dortmund and Juve aren’t that far from United
What?? Juve just won the league!!! Are you having a laugh??? Leave the current italian league winners to go to United who were well off the pace, are out of the champions league????? Yeah they aren’t that far off!! You must be smoking some weird shittttt!!!!
Please Ed, literally put your money where your mouth is
Once again someone doesn’t understand the meaning of the word literally
It’s easy talk, who exactly is available that would set a new transfer record? Absolutely no-one, so therefore it’s all just nonsense to try and keep the united fans happy.
Sean he talking about a club record fee ! There are plenty of players out there worth £35/40m plus
I read this on the guardian website this morning….but you could be spot on
“Louis van Gaal has been told he is free to break the world transfer record to bring the right player to Manchester United.
Last year Real Madrid set the record by signing Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for £86m, eclipsing the £80m they had paid United four years earlier for Cristiano Ronaldo. Van Gaal, who will take charge of United for the first time in a friendly against LA Galaxy that kicks off in the early hours of tomorrow morning UK time, has been told his transfer activity will not be constrained by money.”
What an utterly stupid thing to say while/before negotiations
He can’t help it Ronan he was born like that …
I’m united thru and thru for 36 years now, but I seriously wish this guy would shut up get the job done and stay behind the scene where he belongs…
He’s a joke!! He will not sign a single world class player!! LVG looks like United’s best signing!!
Sorry Dave what world class players did Liverpool attract with their CL football this year ?? None !!! And whys that … Lol
Why mention Liverpool?? Silly comment!!!
Less talk, more signatures please. The more I hear from him, the less convinced I feel. Badly need another Cb, jones, smalling and Evans are far to injury prone. Not convinced of smalling’s quality either.
If Utd are serious they need at least 3 more big signings – Blind, Strootman and Marco Reus would keep everyone happy and ensure a successful season.
How many do you reckon will be shipped out? Surely 4 or more after evra and buttner
A centre half might be handy too, just to keep Jones and Smalling on their toes….
Yeah maybe so John but that’s not a priority – they also have Johnny Evans. Probably best to have one more just in case of injury.
I can see two CB’s coming in ,Vermaelen and de Vrij and getting both for 20/25m would be good business, another midfielder Vidal/ Stroorman type players and a winger Di Maria , Depay, Cuadrado one of those with Depay being the cheapest and best long term option
Disappointing if United just go out to try and buy the league like Chelsea and City. I thought they were better than that.
Just like Liverpool were willing to spend big on Sanchez, sometimes it’s about more than having the money.
I still feel like a max of 1 more player this summer
Nowhere in that article does it say “We’re ready to break records”…. Lazy journalism!!
Big change from last preseason when Woodward left the far east on imminent transfer dealings that “had nothing to do with Rooney & chelsea” and ended up signing Fellaini on the last day. Lucky Moyes was around to blame.