Manchester United Transfer News: Ed Woodward Addresses Future Spending Plans

Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward has confirmed the club will continue to flex their financial muscle in the transfer market, while promoting exceptional youth talents to the first-team squad.   

Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail quoted the club supremo speaking to an official fans' forum at Old Trafford about the Red Devils' long-term plans, saying United will continue to "strengthen the squad." He cited the development of Brazilian talent Andreas Pereira as an example of the club's youth philosophy. 

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Woodward also addressed the rumour mill surrounding United during the last transfer window, proclaiming the team had been linked with a potential 100 new player signings, but it only signed six individuals, as reported by Keegan. 

The prominent board figure also said he was "delighted" with United's return to the Champions League in 2015, and he relayed news the club expect revenues to exceed the £500 million barrier this year, per Keegan. Despite the positivity, one fan remarked Manchester City are "running riot" in comparison to United, providing free tickets for young supporters and gaining their loyalty for years to come. 

The United chief was more cautious in his outlook in September when he told a conference call with Wall Street analysts the club would start to cut its cloth accordingly in terms of spending. 

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Uche Amako of the Daily Express cited Woodward admitting United had reconstructed the squad, saying: "We have seen a large number of ins and outs in the last two summer windows. We were used to more modest numbers. Maybe we will go back to more normalised numbers."

United are yet to win a trophy since the departure of former chief executive David Gill and coach Sir Alex Ferguson from the top of the club's hierarchy, forcing Woodward and the board to sanction huge finance in manager Louis van Gaal's attempt to regain the team's Premier League and European status. 

The Red Devils have chased a number of huge names—unattainable by most clubs' standards—including the likes of German World Cup winner Thomas Muller; however, Bayern Munich have now asked Woodward to cool his pursuit, per Christian Falk of Bild (via Bleacher Report UK):

United found themselves temporarily atop the Premier League this season, but the work of rebuilding the starting XI is not complete yet.

The defence and the midfield have shown positive signs of recovery in the past 12 months, but they still lack the star quality of Ferguson's personnel that challenged for the title on an annual basis. 

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The capture of Anthony Martial has quickly begun to bear fruit in the early stages of the French international's Old Trafford career, but with the striker costing £36 million, as reported by the Guardian's Jamie Jackson, United are going to be forced to pay a premium—even if they want players who are yet to attain superstar status on the world stage. 

As top earners like Wayne Rooney begin to age and show signs of a lack of productivity, United will have to plan for life without their biggest hitters. Football writer Sergi Dominguez commented on this fact, and he suggested United will have to address this soon:

It is unsurprising Woodward has hinted the spending will continue at the north-west club, with LvG facing a huge task to win silverware during the current campaign and beyond. 

United have improved under the Dutchman's tutelage, but the evolution of the team will not be complete until Van Gaal finds a player who can make a real difference—and his transfer fee is likely to be astronomical, with selling clubs charging ridiculous figures for their greatest talents.

United need to find their next Cristiano Ronaldo, but no coach will be given time to develop young talent in the same way Fergie was in years gone by. The team needs world-class individuals to supplement what is a competent squad at best.