A number of Manchester United fans have hit out at the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for his apparent intervention in a deal which could see Ousmane Dembele coming to Old Trafford.
After initial reports in AS that the Red Devils were nearing a move for the 23-year-old, Spanish journalist Francesc Aguilar tweeted that the player’s representatives had confirmed that news to him.
He added that ‘the operation would close’ at roughly €75m (£68.52m) and later tweeted that Woodward had contacted Dembele’s entourage, having been trying for some time to convince him to move to Old Trafford. Aguilar signed off by saying that the Red Devils ‘have succeeded’ in that mission.
[freshpress-poll id=”320512″]
The French forward has a modest return of 19 goals in 75 games for Barcelona since his £124.2m move from Borussia Dortmund three years ago, with his time at Camp Nou blighted by multiple lengthy injuries and criticism of his performances.
Woodward has been a target of flak from plenty of United fans in recent months, with transfer activity conspicuous by its near-absence at Old Trafford, and many supporters weren’t impressed at his reported intervention to try and bring the injury-plagued Dembele to the club.
One fan drew comparisons with the acquisition of Angel di Maria in 2014 for a then-British record fee of £59.7m, with the Argentine then leaving a year later in somewhat acrimonious circumstances after a less than stellar season at Old Trafford.
Check out some of the reaction from United fans below:
https://twitter.com/DevilUnited2/status/1310994570398904320
— Maleek🔰 (@zack_nihat) September 29, 2020
Classic Woodward, last minute panic buys, he either signs injury prone players or hasbeens, guess we’re getting both this window by the sounds of it, joke.
— Craig McNamee (@CraigMcNamee) September 29, 2020
This smells like Di Maria all over again, the player doesn’t want to leave the club, but Man United get him anyways because they have the money to get players in who aren’t 100% in for us! Get Woodward out man!
— Marcos Loureiro (@MRML96) September 29, 2020
What exactly has Ed Woodward accomplished in football to warrant this? If @ManUtd sign a player with that injury record, then the downfall has truly reached the bottom!
— A. David- #GlazersOut #WoodwardOut (@Dieselmd8u) September 29, 2020
Lol a stupid man making decisions for a club like this https://t.co/XC0a5RgDku
— Tune (@moutune2) September 29, 2020
Man United fans, what did you make of Woodward’s apparent intervention in the possible Dembele transfer? Comment below with your views!
