Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward says the club have a "clear strategy" under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that they hope will take them to the next level.
Woodward isn't a universally loved figure by fans of the club, with many suggesting there needs to be more of a focus on signing top players over running the club like a business.
To that end, Woodward has been speaking as he announced the Old Trafford outfit's annual financial results in a conference call to investors.
United's revenue numbers are down to their lowest since the 2014/15 season, a fall of 20 per cent - understandable given the global pandemic.
Ed Woodward: "On the pitch, we have strengthened the team over the summer and we remain committed to our objective of winning trophies, playing entertaining, attacking football..." (1/2) #mulive
— utdreport (@utdreport) October 21, 2020
The club's total revenue for 2019/20 is £509 million, compared to their record £627 million in 2018/19, with broadcast revenues also dropping some 41.9 per cent.
Net debt doubled to £474.1 million, with the loss of matchday revenue and no Champions League money last season two primary reasons why.
"On the field, we will never be satisfied at Manchester United, unless we are winning trophies", said Woodward.
"But our third-place finish in the Premier League and strong cup runs last season showed that, while there is more hard work ahead and the path is not always smooth, we are making progress.
"We have a clear strategy under Ole to build a successful, committed team, with a core of homegrown talent blended with high-quality recruits, that plays fast flowing, attacking football.
"To that end, we are pleased with our recent additions to the first-team squad of Donny van de Beek and Alex Telles, two players we had been tracking as part of our recruitment process for a long period, and Edinson Cavani, a top striker who adds a new option to our forward line.
Second training day, working hard.
Segundo día de entrenamiento, seguimos a full.
🔴 #MUFC #UCL⚽️ pic.twitter.com/pfftM5cBxv— Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) October 19, 2020
"We also welcome Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo, who will join in January, two exciting young prospects who have also been scouted extensively.
"Added to the arrival of Bruno Fernandes earlier this year, these recruits underscore our continued commitment to strengthening the squad and take our net investment in new players since summer 2019 to over €200m – more, I believe, than any other major European club over that time period."
While praising the club's transfer moves, Woodward was also keen to stress a continued focus on youth and development at United.
"We also continue to invest strongly in our thriving Academy, whose graduates make up a third of our current first-team squad. The pipeline of new talent looks as exciting as ever, with Ole giving first team debuts to eight Academy graduates last season – the highest number since the Busby Babes were breaking through in 1952/53.
"This faith in youth remains an integral part of our identity as a club. Even with the addition of some more experienced players this month, our squad remains one of the youngest in the Premier League with an average age of 25.
"This means the team has potential for significant further improvement as our young players develop and mature."
Woodward also commented on the importance of getting fans back into football stadiums as soon as possible.
"Crowds have been permitted to return to varying degrees in over 20 European countries, albeit with significant capacity restrictions to allow for social distancing, and we urge the UK government to follow these positive examples as soon as it is safe to do so.
"While we recognise that public health must always be the priority, what is needed is consistency of approach.
"If people are allowed to sit in a plane for hours, or in the cinema, or even watch football in a cinema, why not outside in a stadium environment which is professionally managed and controlled?
"If indoor concerts are allowed, why should outdoor, socially-distanced football fans be treated differently? Fans are the bedrock of this game and some of the inconsistencies out there are frustrating for them and for the clubs."
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