United ready to battle on all fronts

Manchester United will further strengthen their squad and will be able to challenge for trophies on all fronts next season, the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has promised.

Woodward said the club owners were “delighted” with Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge and that the club’s financial future was also looking rosy.

Speaking to investors after announcing the club’s third-quarterly earnings, Woodward also said contract negotiations would start with up to nine first-team squad players whose deals expire at the end of next season.