Rather amazingly, the Manchester United fans propping up the bar in the Transfer Tavern believe the only man at Old Trafford not to hugely underperform this season is Ed Woodward. 

Having largely become a laughing stock at the Theatre of Dreams, the much-maligned chief executive went out and sealed big deals for the Red Devils in the summer, landing the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.

In fact, it’s a wonder just where Jose Mourinho would be right now if it wasn’t for Woodward, which is quite a scary thought indeed.

Still, the Portuguese is able to rely heavily on him as he bids to bring both he and the team as a whole out of their slump.

Surely he’ll do so again in January, which represents a natural time to bring in some much-needed reinforcements, either to bed in ahead of next season or provide the necessary impetus to shoot up the league.

With that in mind, here are TWO things Mourinho must ask Woodward for in January.

Cover

Though United spent big, they didn’t actually buy that many players over the summer.

Only four came in to Old Trafford, though they were linked with a move for Jose Fonte in order to strengthen their backline.

The feeling then was that Mourinho to sell before he could buy, though he must ask for leniency in that regard in January to bring more players in.

Particularly with Eric Bailly more than likely off to the African Cup of Nations.

Support

With Mourinho seemingly swimming against the tide at the Theatre of Dreams, he needs all the support he can get.

Top brass at Old Trafford have moved quickly to axe managers, even Louis van Gaal hours after he won the FA Cup, and the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ needs full backing, even if the press are against him.