Manchester United remain "absolutely committed" to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
Woodward's comments were contained in the club's first-quarter results, released early in error on Thursday.
Solskjaer came under intense pressure following successive defeats by Arsenal and Istanbul Baseksehir.
But Woodward said the club "remain absolutely committed to the positive path we are on under Ole".
United are 14th in the Premier League, having won three and lost three of their opening seven matches.
The electronic publisher that releases United's regulatory statements was doing a test on Thursday and incorrectly went live with the figures. They were not scheduled to be published until Friday lunchtime GMT.
United had already said they would not be holding an investors' conference call with the results, published three weeks after their 2019-20 final results were issued.
Overall revenue was £109m, down 19.5% compared with the same quarter last year.
Matchday revenue fell significantly as matches continued to be played behind closed doors, but United still generated £1.7m, through a combination of membership sales and rental income from property owned around Old Trafford.
Broadcast revenue was up as a result of Premier League games being played in July, while commercial revenue has dropped 25.7% to £59.7m.
The company will pay a $0.09 (6.86p) dividend on shares on 7 January, 2021.
Woodward added: "While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause significant disruption, we are optimistic that the recovery and normalisation phase is gradually coming into view.
"The club's resilience and our strong commercial business continue to provide a solid foundation and gives us confidence in our long-term outlook beyond the pandemic, both on and off the pitch."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54924667
United absolutely committed to Ole
posted on 13/11/20
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
posted on 13/11/20
There's also the fact that Ed can't really afford yet another appointment to be a failure. He's tried from all angles, which suggests that the manager isn't the only problem and Ed is aware of that. He'll be very very reluctant to make a change
------------------------------------------------
That's why I think there's a good chance he'll let yet another manager keep their job for longer than they should.
I think it's unlikely that Ole's future will hinge on such a small amount of games, not this early in the season. He's got too much credit in the bank.
If we're still out of the top 4 and some way off 4th place by the time next year comes around and we're into the 2nd half of the season, he's going to be in trouble.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course he is never going to say Ole's future in up in the air. However, the phrase used is strong; absolutely committed. He could have just said that Ole retains the club's backing - but he was quite forceful with his words.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course he is never going to say Ole's future in up in the air. However, the phrase used is strong; absolutely committed. He could have just said that Ole retains the club's backing - but he was quite forceful with his words.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In these financial statements the language used has to be OTT. If we lose 2 or 3 more games in the next few weeks then ‘absolutely committed’ is thrown out the window.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 28 minutes ago
There's also the fact that Ed can't really afford yet another appointment to be a failure. He's tried from all angles, which suggests that the manager isn't the only problem and Ed is aware of that. He'll be very very reluctant to make a change
------------------------------------------------
That's why I think there's a good chance he'll let yet another manager keep their job for longer than they should.
I think it's unlikely that Ole's future will hinge on such a small amount of games, not this early in the season. He's got too much credit in the bank.
If we're still out of the top 4 and some way off 4th place by the time next year comes around and we're into the 2nd half of the season, he's going to be in trouble.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree with this totally.
Firstly, Ole has done enough in his first full season to be excused a blip at the start of this season. Especially with the squad not having a pre-season.
Secondly, Ed's future could very well be tied in with Ole's. If another manager fails, at what point to the Glazers start looking at Ed and wondering whether he is the right man for the job? I think that Ed will give Ole as long as he possibly can.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 33 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course he is never going to say Ole's future in up in the air. However, the phrase used is strong; absolutely committed. He could have just said that Ole retains the club's backing - but he was quite forceful with his words.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In these financial statements the language used has to be OTT. If we lose 2 or 3 more games in the next few weeks then ‘absolutely committed’ is thrown out the window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither of us know for sure whether that is true Robb. But I do get the feeling that Ed will give Ole time, as his own future at the club is aurely in question.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 33 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course he is never going to say Ole's future in up in the air. However, the phrase used is strong; absolutely committed. He could have just said that Ole retains the club's backing - but he was quite forceful with his words.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In these financial statements the language used has to be OTT. If we lose 2 or 3 more games in the next few weeks then ‘absolutely committed’ is thrown out the window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither of us know for sure whether that is true Robb. But I do get the feeling that Ed will give Ole time, as his own future at the club is aurely in question.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I get that but is Ed’s future at the club in question? I’ve seen nowhere that he’s under any pressure. If we’re losing games and as this season goes on the very real noise about Ole being out of his depth grows then Ed can’t be blamed for Ole and the side losing games.
Bringing in someone well respected like Poch would be a move that surely indicates (from a spin perspective that the club could use) Ed is making a positive change for United.
Like I’ve always said - Ole has his future in his hands. He could be at the club as long as SAF if the results and progress are on an upward trajectory. But if they’re not I don’t see any reason Ole would survive any longer than anyone else.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 33 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course he is never going to say Ole's future in up in the air. However, the phrase used is strong; absolutely committed. He could have just said that Ole retains the club's backing - but he was quite forceful with his words.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In these financial statements the language used has to be OTT. If we lose 2 or 3 more games in the next few weeks then ‘absolutely committed’ is thrown out the window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither of us know for sure whether that is true Robb. But I do get the feeling that Ed will give Ole time, as his own future at the club is aurely in question.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I get that but is Ed’s future at the club in question? I’ve seen nowhere that he’s under any pressure. If we’re losing games and as this season goes on the very real noise about Ole being out of his depth grows then Ed can’t be blamed for Ole and the side losing games.
Bringing in someone well respected like Poch would be a move that surely indicates (from a spin perspective that the club could use) Ed is making a positive change for United.
Like I’ve always said - Ole has his future in his hands. He could be at the club as long as SAF if the results and progress are on an upward trajectory. But if they’re not I don’t see any reason Ole would survive any longer than anyone else.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, if a business keeps failing, the man at the top usually takes the blame. If Ole gets the sack then that is 4 managers that have failed under Ed. He and the board have been attacked by many pundits, ex-players etc. The Glazers won't be oblivious to that. I'd be very surprised if there aren't at least questions about his job.
Ed brought in someone well respected previously in both LVG and Jose. Both were more established than Poch.
Ultimately neither achieved what the club would have wanted. How long does he get away with bringing in managers and them failing? Nah, I think he is worried about his own job and as a result he will back Ole to the hilt.
posted on 13/11/20
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 12 seconds ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 33 seconds ago
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Robb Pochettino - 🧢 Make United Great Again (U22311)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Tbh what else is Ed gonna say? It’s a financial statement. Makes no sense for Ed to say ‘actually, Ole is on thin ice if we lose a couple more games’
Ole will be here for the next 10 years if the results are good. Or he’ll be gone in 10 games if the results are bad. Same as any manager at any club.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course he is never going to say Ole's future in up in the air. However, the phrase used is strong; absolutely committed. He could have just said that Ole retains the club's backing - but he was quite forceful with his words.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In these financial statements the language used has to be OTT. If we lose 2 or 3 more games in the next few weeks then ‘absolutely committed’ is thrown out the window.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither of us know for sure whether that is true Robb. But I do get the feeling that Ed will give Ole time, as his own future at the club is aurely in question.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I get that but is Ed’s future at the club in question? I’ve seen nowhere that he’s under any pressure. If we’re losing games and as this season goes on the very real noise about Ole being out of his depth grows then Ed can’t be blamed for Ole and the side losing games.
Bringing in someone well respected like Poch would be a move that surely indicates (from a spin perspective that the club could use) Ed is making a positive change for United.
Like I’ve always said - Ole has his future in his hands. He could be at the club as long as SAF if the results and progress are on an upward trajectory. But if they’re not I don’t see any reason Ole would survive any longer than anyone else.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, if a business keeps failing, the man at the top usually takes the blame. If Ole gets the sack then that is 4 managers that have failed under Ed. He and the board have been attacked by many pundits, ex-players etc. The Glazers won't be oblivious to that. I'd be very surprised if there aren't at least questions about his job.
Ed brought in someone well respected previously in both LVG and Jose. Both were more established than Poch.
Ultimately neither achieved what the club would have wanted. How long does he get away with bringing in managers and them failing? Nah, I think he is worried about his own job and as a result he will back Ole to the hilt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Clubs do sack managers though - especially these days. It’s a normal occurrence. Since SAF left, Chelsea have sacked 5 or 6 managers. Ed will likely have a job for life as the off field financials continue to flourish.
Once the results go back to being poor we’ll see how committed the club are.
posted on 13/11/20
Firstly, Ole has done enough in his first full season to be excused a blip at the start of this season. Especially with the squad not having a pre-season.
Secondly, Ed's future could very well be tied in with Ole's. If another manager fails, at what point to the Glazers start looking at Ed and wondering whether he is the right man for the job? I think that Ed will give Ole as long as he possibly can.
----------------------------------------------------
Yeah he has and I don't think there's been any real sign that the players aren't still on his side either so there's that too.
As unlikely as it may seem, at some stage the Glazers are surely going to start asking serious questions about why the sporting side of their business keeps floundering. Everyone has their breaking point, hopefully we'll discover that if/when Ole is sacked.