Woodward says United’s budget aiming for top three finish

Manchester United have set a target of finishing in the top three of the Premier League this season, the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has revealed.

Woodward said a top-three finish was what club chiefs had budgeted for this season — and he also played down the possibility of further new signings in January to boost Louis van Gaal’s squad.

He said the club are “at the start of something special” under van Gaal, despite admitting income will fall by up to £48 million (€60m) as the price for missing out on Europe.

Woodward announced record revenues of £433.2m (€541.5m) for last season, while it was revealed the club paid out £5.2m (€6.5) in compensation payments to sacked manager David Moyes and some members of his coaching team.

The United vice-chairman said in a conference call with club investors: “Our budgets assume a third-placed finish, as is ordinarily the case.

“The 2013-14 season was a very challenging and disappointing one. But under Louis there is a real feeling at the training ground that we are at the start of something special.

“We are very excited about the future and believe it’s the start of a new chapter in the club’s history.

“I’m confident with Louis as our manager, with a clear philosophy and a reinvigorated squad, we will get back to challenging for the title and trophies.

“His track record for delivering top level teams speaks for itself. We’ve had an excellent summer having signed Angel di Maria, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao on a one-year loan.”

Asked about the prospect of more ‘cap-ex’ — capital expenditure on new players — in January. Woodward played down the likelihood.

He said: “We don’t intend to significantly increase cap-ex in January. We will continue to monitor in association with Louis his view of the squad and which areas we want to strengthen and which areas we want to sell. The usual three in, three out is par for the course in the numbers in and out each year, typically in the summer.”

The annual figures also show that the club made a £23.8m (€29) profit, down from £146.4m (€183.5m) in 2012/13 but that huge sum was entirely due to a one-off tax credit from US assets of £155m (€194m).

United’s wage bill rose 19% to £214.8m (€269.3), an increase of £34.3m (€43m) “primarily due to the impact of player acquisitions and renegotiated player contracts”, according to the annual report.

The figures reveal United’s sponsorship income increased by 49% last year, with a number of new deals coming on stream.

Woodward said the new £750m (€940m) adidas deal was a major boost for the club.

“The £750m adidas deal is a record, not just in football, but in all sports. This is the culmination of four years of hard work. We had offers from more than 20 companies around the world.”

Meanwhile Ryan Giggs insists United’s commitment to youth development remains strong.

The recent sale of Academy graduate Danny Welbeck to Arsenal and the heavy spending of the summer transfer window have suggested priorities could be changing at Old Trafford.

United have a proud record of having at least one homegrown player in every matchday squad since 1937 — a statistic that could now be under threat following Welbeck’s departure.

But Giggs — himself one of United’s greatest youth products — denies that is the case.

“Tyler Blackett has played every game this season. Underneath (Robin) Van Persie and (Wayne) Rooney you have got (Adnan) Januzaj, James Wilson.”