Phelan: Woodward To Blame For United’s Transfer Problems

Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has spoken on Manchester United’s difficulties in the transfer market this summer, claiming that new Chief Exec Ed Woodward’s inexperience has been  the root of the problems.

With 10 days left until the window closes Manchester United have only brought in right back Guillermo Varela from Penarol, and have seen a number of approaches for players publicly fall flat.

The latest attempt was a double swoop for Everton’s Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini that Everton claimed was derisory and Phelan believes that the bid, for a combined total of £28m, was ‘cheeky’ and never going to get off the ground.

Speaking to BBC Manchester Phelan said:

“I think that [Fellaini-Baines] was a cheeky bid. It was never going to get off the ground. What they have done is opened the line into Everton. Ed Woodward has previously been on the commercial side and concentrating on bringing money into the club rather than spending it. It is a totally different outlook. He will learn that.

“He may be frightened by a few prices but he will have to pick that up, because you are dealing with high-quality football players. He and the club have gone on record to say that money is available. That’s great, but then every price goes up a peg or two as well.”