Utd's internal power struggles explained (as much as 140 character tweets will allow). MUFC has 2 boards, football club and overall company.
Woodward + Richard Arnold in commercial-is-king alliance on Company Board vs. Fergie, Gill, Charlton on FC board:
https://t.co/HkzhTEbIUj
Power lies with Company Board (mainly Woodward + Glazers) but Fergie alliance retains huge influence on the ground at OT and Carrington
Charlton=anti-Mourinho; Fergie too (strung him along in 2012/13: ignore public 'matey' image). Gill was pro- in 2013, overall more anti- now
Fergie views Jose as "a pup", not in his league. Hated losing to him so often & had to use diff approach to him compared to Wenger, Benitez
Fergie knew Mourinho wanted Utd job so strung him along. His final "victory" was stiffing him over 2013 succession: power and control.
Fergie furious @ loss of influence.Hates Wward&his commercial dept, tells pals Utd is "all about money now" (despite it paying him £2m p/a)
Gill's role usurped by Wward since '05 so dislike there too. Gill (amazingly) popular with OT staff. Fergie sidelined by Glazers since 2013.
Co92 represent way for Fergie to re-gain lost influence, hence pushing Giggs as manager. Fergie eyes "back seat driver" role, wants LVG out.
Wward OK'd 'Fergie tip' Moyes in 2013 so must stick with LVG to avoid 2 failures on record.Needs LVG to see out season for "honourable" exit
Woodward wants Co92 'legend' for marketing purposes but hates competition from Co92 'brand': MUFC employees banned from Co92 hotel last year
Woodward appoints Giggs, gives Ferg back influence; appoints Jose, Ferg shunted but Giggs might quit. Plus sacking LVG looks bad = STALEMATE
Wward clueless re f'ball matters & terrified of making wrong call. Has to keep stringing Mourinho along (Dec contact+last week) in meantime.
Mourinho DESPERATE for Utd for years; now ready to wait but knows Wward is flakey + no guarantees; trying to put pressure on re "other jobs"
Added factor to LVG being shown as failure is Wward under pressure in Florida: Glazers been talking to potential new CEO who is Fergie ally.
Other big problem for Woodward is sacking LVG + missing CL is v expensive. As is Mourinho. Giggs represents budget Glazer-tastic replacement
Other strands: Mourinho agent Mendes is 'friends' with Wward; also long in business with Ferg+Gill & now Co92 through ValenciaFC & Peter Lim
Rooney also a factor:still biggest draw for sponsors - being onside with him helps get in with Wward, hence Co92 praising his "performances"
Fergie OK'd Co92 to bash LVG in media until Dec;then gave backing to LVG when Mourinho available. Pro-Giggs media message now more desperate
Entire shambles = Glazers reaping what theyve sown since 2005: theyre reluctant to even invest in youth system as it's "not cost effective
More to follow.