As you might expect, the inner machinations at a club the size of Manchester United are pretty convoluted.
With the managerial situation almost certain to be in flux again sooner rather than later, speculation has arose as to where exactly the power lies behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
Helpfully, United fanzine Red Issue have compiled their take on relentless struggle for leverage – an in-depth and fascinating exposé of the various wrangles that go on daily at one of the biggest, most bloated football clubs in the world.
Two hours in the making and first spotted over on Balls.ie, here’s the Red Issue tirade in full…
RI’s MUFC boardroom’s political skulduggery guide coming up soon…
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Utd’s internal power struggles explained (as much as 140 character tweets will allow). MUFC has 2 boards, football club and overall company.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Woodward + Richard Arnold in commercial-is-king alliance on Company Board vs. Fergie, Gill, Charlton on FC board: https://t.co/HkzhTEbIUj
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Power lies with Company Board (mainly Woodward + Glazers) but Fergie alliance retains huge influence on the ground at OT and Carrington
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Charlton=anti-Mourinho; Fergie too (strung him along in 2012/13: ignore public ‘matey’ image). Gill was pro- in 2013, overall more anti- now
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Fergie views Jose as “a pup”, not in his league. Hated losing to him so often & had to use diff approach to him compared to Wenger, Benitez
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Fergie knew Mourinho wanted Utd job so strung him along. His final “victory” was stiffing him over 2013 succession: power and control.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Fergie furious @ loss of influence.Hates Wward&his commercial dept, tells pals Utd is “all about money now” (despite it paying him £2m p/a)
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Gill’s role usurped by Wward since ’05 so dislike there too. Gill (amazingly) popular with OT staff. Fergie sidelined by Glazers since 2013.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Co92 represent way for Fergie to re-gain lost influence, hence pushing Giggs as manager. Fergie eyes “back seat driver” role, wants LVG out.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Wward OK’d ‘Fergie tip’ Moyes in 2013 so must stick with LVG to avoid 2 failures on record.Needs LVG to see out season for “honourable” exit
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Woodward wants Co92 ‘legend’ for marketing purposes but hates competition from Co92 ‘brand’: MUFC employees banned from Co92 hotel last year
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Woodward appoints Giggs, gives Ferg back influence; appoints Jose, Ferg shunted but Giggs might quit. Plus sacking LVG looks bad = STALEMATE
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Wward clueless re f’ball matters & terrified of making wrong call. Has to keep stringing Mourinho along (Dec contact+last week) in meantime.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Mourinho DESPERATE for Utd for years; now ready to wait but knows Wward is flakey + no guarantees; trying to put pressure on re “other jobs”
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Added factor to LVG being shown as failure is Wward under pressure in Florida: Glazers been talking to potential new CEO who is Fergie ally.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Other big problem for Woodward is sacking LVG + missing CL is v expensive. As is Mourinho. Giggs represents budget Glazer-tastic replacement
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Other strands: Mourinho agent Mendes is ‘friends’ with Wward; also long in business with Ferg+Gill & now Co92 through ValenciaFC & Peter Lim
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Rooney also a factor:still biggest draw for sponsors – being onside with him helps get in with Wward, hence Co92 praising his “performances”
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Fergie OK’d Co92 to bash LVG in media until Dec;then gave backing to LVG when Mourinho available. Pro-Giggs media message now more desperate
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Entire shambles = Glazers reaping what theyve sown since 2005: theyre reluctant to even invest in youth system as it’s “not cost effective”
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Most damning thing is Fergie-Charlton-Gill will mobilise vs double EuroCup-winning Mourinho but welcomed the Glazer vultures with open arms.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Stunning really – if accurate, of course.
On this evidence, it’s a wonder United even manage to function on a day-to-day basis with all the extra-curricular gubbins going on along the shady corridors of power.