Ed Woodward held an emergency meeting with unhappy Manchester United stars on Monday who were unimpressed with how the European Super League was announced.
Twelve of Europe’s biggest sides announced a new breakaway competition on Sunday prompting outrage from football’s governing bodies as well as supporters, pundits and politicians alike.
The Premier League and Football Association have threatened to ban the six clubs from domestic competition, while UEFA have said any players involved in the new League will be blocked from playing international football.
Given the huge consequences for the players of the 12 teams, they would have expected to have been braced for the news but only found out together with everyone else on Sunday.
According to the Daily Mail, United’s players were particularly put out and Woodward had to speak to the squad at Carrington on Monday.
In addition to sharing concerns about the European Super League, the players were also furious by the fact they only found out through the media rather than through the club.
And United have been one of the major forces behind the league, with Joel Glazer even named Vice-Chairman, the players were surprised that they had not been informed beforehand.
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There was also reported to be some criticism of the way in which Solskjaer was ‘thrown under the bus’ after the win over Burnley, with the manager forced to answer questions about something he didn’t know about.
Woodward tried to explain United’s position and why they have decided to join the League, but the squad’s reaction was said to be ‘lukewarm at best’.
