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More signings expected at United, says Woodward

LONDON — Ed Woodward has told Manchester United fans to expect new signings and several departures over the next few weeks.

Netherlands defender Daley Blind is one of the players linked to a possible move to Old Trafford. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Netherlands defender Daley Blind is one of the players linked to a possible move to Old Trafford. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

LONDON — Ed Woodward has told Manchester United fans to expect new signings and several departures over the next few weeks.

Louis van Gaal has already spent upwards of £50 million (S$105.8 million) on Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, and looks set to add more faces before the season begins.

The Dutchman has been linked with Arturo Vidal, Daley Blind, Kevin Strootman and Thomas Vermaelen since taking charge in May, and is already making space for new acquisitions by offloading Patrice Evra, who has completed a £1.2 million move to Juventus.

Woodward says there is plenty of cash available to Van Gaal if he decides he needs to strengthen further.

“There is no fixed budget. Financially we are extremely strong, we have funds available,” United’s executive vice-chairman told MUTV in an interview filmed on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, where the club will face the Los Angeles Galaxy tomorrow (Thursday morning, Singapore time).

“Louis is the boss and is assessing what’s going on, but we have been in dialogue for some time about targets so there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes ... we’re continuing to move forward on some of those targets ... so watch this space. The time he (van Gaal) spends here as well (in America), he’ll be able to assess more what he’s got and continue to tweak the decisions if we need to. We want to do what it takes to win the title.”

United finished seventh under David Moyes last year, meaning they will be without European football this term for the first time in almost two decades. Woodward does not believe that will put potential signings off a move to Old Trafford, though.

“I’ve experienced a lot of conversations with agents and players and we are still a huge attraction to top football stars around the world — there is no doubt about that,” he said. “We’ve already invested in two new fantastic players.”

As a consequence of the club’s failure to qualify for Europe, United will play a vastly reduced number of matches this season. Van Gaal will therefore need fewer players, so there is a high possibility that some squad members will be moved on before the transfer window closes.

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have joined Queens Park Rangers and Inter Milan, respectively. Others, such as Anderson, Bebe, Javier Hernandez, Wilfried Zaha, Marouane Fellaini, Anderson and Tom Cleverley, have question marks over their futures.

Van Gaal may have been in his post for less than a week, but Woodward says the 62-year-old has already made a big impact. “I’m hearing a lot of good feedback from a lot of people about him and there is a huge amount of goodwill towards him and the coaching staff,” Woodward said.

“Every interaction he’s having with people is leaving an imprint, which is superb.” THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

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