Martin Edwards Manchester United
Ed Woodward says Manchester United are optimistic about their chances of success in the future, despite their failure to mount a challenge in the Premier League or Champions League.
In a statement, Ed Woodward said “As we approach a full year since our last game with fans at Old Trafford, we reflect on an extraordinarily challenging 12 months for football and society as a whole. The rapid rollout of vaccines in the UK and beyond gives us confidence that we are now on a path towards normality, including the return of fans to stadia. While the disruption to our operations remains significant, we are pleased by the tremendous resilience the club has demonstrated through the pandemic, underpinned by the dedication of our people and the strength of our commercial business. We have been reminded of the importance of football as a source of community, entertainment and pride to fans around the world, even as we have sorely missed them at Old Trafford. The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear and our thriving academy and women’s team are also adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch.”
Mason Greenwood’s contract renewal and the signing of Amad are listed among United’s ‘key points’, as is the club’s launch on the social media site TikTok, which was ‘the fastest growing following of any football club on the platform’. Executive vice-chairman Woodward spoke about United’s progress in a statement attached to their financial results for the second quarter for the period ended December 31 2020. United’s revenue was down 7% year-on-year to £281.8million and their debt rose 16% to £455.5m, with their profit £33.6m – down 7%. United went out of the Champions League at the group stage in December and, having been top of the Premier League at the halfway stage, now trail champions-elect Manchester City by 14 points with 11 games left.
