MANCHESTER United is prepared to break transfer records in order to give new manager Louis van Gaal the players he wants, according to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. The English giant has already spent over 50 million pounds (US$85 million) on England left-back Luke Shaw and Spanish midfielder Anders Herrera, and Woodward says that it is ready to spend even more. Some of United’s European rivals have spent big recently. Real Madrid on Tuesday signed James Rodriguez from Monaco for a fee of around US$110 million, while Barcelona paid Liverpool about US$130 million for Luis Suarez. Asked if United was able to pay a similar amount for a player, Woodward said: “It is in our capabilities. The club are not afraid of doing that — spending significantly in the transfer market.” United is rebuilding under van Gaal after a dismal 2013-14 season and Woodward says that in the context, the club will have no qualms about sanctioning big-money signings. “Whether it’s a record or not doesn’t really resonate with us,” he added, in comments reported by the British media yesterday. “What resonates is a top, top elite player that the manager wants that is going to be a star for Manchester United. We are in a very strong financial position. We can make big signings.” United has been linked with a host of players in recent weeks, including Germany center-back Mats Hummels, Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen, and the Dutch trio of Daley Blind, Stefan de Vrij and Kevin Strootman. HH
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 02:00:00 +0000