KFC

Ed Woodward:

"Once the window has closed *your scouts then are starting to look at the key areas* where you think you may have weaknesses.

"We're always able to look at a position and have our view in terms of the list of targets [provided by the Chief Scout] that would suit Manchester United and augment our team.

"*That list is then discussed with the manager and his staff* and there's a process of further analysis being done...

"And then all I do is just go and negotiate the deals with the club and then the player. It's straightforward - it may not be easy in terms of negotiation.

"*The board and I have a budget to work with* and we manage that on a window-by-window basis."

All my emphases.

1. The scouts identify a wide pool of targets.

2. Their list is discussed with the manager and his team.

3. The manager and his team draw up a shortlist of players including more than one option in each area of the squad it is agreed strengthening is required. (Jose talked about this repeatedly during his tenure.)

4. At this point, the manager's involvement is done. (Jose also talked about this; about waiting for a call from Ed to learn about who the club had signed.)

5. Looking at their budget, the board decides how to move forward with Ed talking to clubs about potential deals, then negotiating with clubs and players.

So looking at previous signings for previous managers. LVG with dutch players coming in, Moyes with ex Everton players brought and targeted and then finally Jose bringing in players like Ibra who he has a great relationship with.

Managers are listened to and their advice is taken on board, Ed reserves the right to reject their demands (which I'm sure he has done) but their wishes also have a fair chance of being adopted.

Their is nothing in those quotes that contradict what I've said, I even spoke about Mourinho and his lists earlier.

FYI: Another quote which indicates Jones is here long term...

"It's a signal for the players that we believe in them and it's a signal for supporters that we plan ahead," Ole when asked about the new contracts being handed out.

I’d didn’t have a hissy fit, this is in essences what I’m talking about. The fuss made about what people say about football.

I said “This is Ole’s first facked up decision” did you imagine me slamming my phone against the wall after I typed that?

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Well for you to say it's horrible news to wake up to you'd think somebody had died ffs.

With in the context of football it’s horrible, I’m not comparing it to the Iraq war.

Those managers were all on permanent contracts. As of yet, we don’t know whether Ole will be (though I suspect he will) so it’s not exactly a like for like comparison. Though I’d imagine he would have been consulted on Jones, especially with regard to the tangibles that go beyond on pitch performance that Woodward wouldn’t be as privy to.

I’m by no means his biggest fan, in fact, I’ve wanted him to go for a while now. But he’s actually one of our better defenders and serves quite a few puproses in the squad. It’s hardly a facked up decision extending his contract.

I suppose that’s a matter of opinion, I see Bailly, Lindelof and Smalling as our best CB’s. Jones and Rojo IF THEY STAY will be blocking the path way for Tuanzebe and a real world class CB coming in.

We have five central defenders and none of them are world class, we used to have three in Vidic, Rio and Evra. People need to be moved on before anybody comes in, if we want to compete then we need better.

Jones has been better than Baily and Lindelof since they’ve both been at the club, though. I expect Rojo to leave and then we’ll go in for a cb in the summer. It’s quite clearly obvious that Woodward has wanted to sign one but hasn’t been able to get the required targets.

Fk me, 4 years