Man United Star Accused Ed Woodward Of Treating Them 'Like Children' Amid European Super League Controversy

Luke Shaw reportedly led the ‘inquisition’ against Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over the club’s controversial involvement in the European Super League.

The ESL, which was chaired by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, was announced in April and met with widespread condemnation.

United were announced as a ‘founding member’ of The Super League alongside Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Premier League's so-called ‘big six’ would feature in the club competition against the likes of AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Madrid.

The Red Devils withdrew from their commitment to the ESL within 72 hours, but Woodward and the Glazer family were slammed for their role in the project.

PA

Read More:

• European Super League: what is it, how will it work and which teams are involved?

According to The Athletic, Shaw and Bruno Fernandes were furious with how Woodward had not spoken to them about United’s involvement in the ESL.

The publication added that the 26-year-old left-back felt the outgoing United executive vice-chairman treated them “like children” or like “assets.”

PA

Fernandes, who has had a sensational impact at United, was reportedly prepared to quit Old Trafford if United pushed ahead with The Super League.

The Athletic reports that United players were ‘genuinely concerned’ over the risk to their respective international careers amid UEFA’s stern warnings over the ESL.

However, United sources ‘privately played down’ the idea that UEFA would impose sanctions of a European Championship ban on their players.

Read More:

• Barcelona and Real Madrid are planning to relaunch European Super League

PA

The six Premier League clubs involved in the ESL escaped a points deduction or expulsion from England’s top-flight domestic league.

The Football Association and Premier League fined the big six £22m, but the former ESL teams will face potential £25m fines and 30-point deductions if they sign up to any unsanctioned competitions in the future.

Woodward, who helped spearhead the Glazer family’s takeover of United in 2005, has confirmed that he will step down from his current role at the end of 2021.

“I am extremely proud to have served United and it has been an honour to work for the world's greatest football club for the past 16 years,” he said.

“The club is well positioned for the future and it will be difficult to walk away at the end of the year.”

Topics: Luke Shaw, Ed Woodward, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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