Dr Dan Plumley

Tue 4 January 2022 20:00, UK

Ed Woodward will continue to advise on matters behind the scenes at Man United as part of their network of “elite” business minds.

So says finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the recent appointment of Richard Arnold as chief executive.

Arnold replaced Woodward after eight years in the club’s top off-pitch role after a quiet handover last Saturday (1 January), per the Daily Express.

Sky Sports reported last month (20 December) that Woodward is set to stay on at United in a consultancy role.

The 50-year-old was a deeply unpopular figure throughout much of his premiership among bedrock fans who lamented his profit-driven approach.

But Plumley claims that Woodward will continue to be an influential figure from the shadows at Old Trafford.

“I think he’ll continue to remain involved in an advisory role,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“There are connections all the way through. He has always been close with the Glazers and there is that connection with Richard Arnold as well.

“They and JP Morgan were behind the Super League, so you can start to see the networks at the elite business level there.

“Fans never took to Woodward and the ownership model. That has been one of the main problems.

“But commercially, they have still done very well despite the drop in on-pitch performances since the Alex Ferguson days.

“That is his environment. He’s an investment banker. He knows how to make money and he knows how to strike deals.

“He’ll be involved behind the scenes, which is par for the course in normal businesses. You often have that transition period.”

United have won an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during Woodward’s eight years in the top job.

He leaves them 7th in the league table after their 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves last night (3 January).

In other news, Man United defender Ethan Laird set to join Bournemouth after breakthrough in talks.