Manchester United fanzine Red Issue have taken to twitter to release their "idiots guide to all internal MUFC politics" to the public, and they offer a number of very interesting views.
The stream of tweets which were published over a two hour timeline were teased earlier in the day:
RI's MUFC boardroom's political skulduggery guide coming up soon...
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
And soon the tweets started to come thick and fast.
Whoever was responsible gave their views on the situation regarding the future of Louis Van Gaal, and how Ed Woodward and the commercial side of the club are facing opposition from Bobby Charlton and Alex Ferguson, and the Glazer family are also accused of letting the youth development at the club deteriorate as it is not obviously benefitial for business.
There's a lot to take in, but it all makes sense, and while there is no indication that this is 100% accurate, it certainly appears to have come from a very knowledagble source:
Utd's internal power struggles explained (as much as 140 character tweets will allow). MUFC has 2 boards, football club and overall company.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Woodward + Richard Arnold in commercial-is-king alliance on Company Board vs. Fergie, Gill, Charlton on FC board: https://t.co/HkzhTEbIUj
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Power lies with Company Board (mainly Woodward + Glazers) but Fergie alliance retains huge influence on the ground at OT and Carrington
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Charlton=anti-Mourinho; Fergie too (strung him along in 2012/13: ignore public 'matey' image). Gill was pro- in 2013, overall more anti- now
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
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
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Fergie knew Mourinho wanted Utd job so strung him along. His final "victory" was stiffing him over 2013 succession: power and control.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
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)
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Gill's role usurped by Wward since '05 so dislike there too. Gill (amazingly) popular with OT staff. Fergie sidelined by Glazers since 2013.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Co92 represent way for Fergie to re-gain lost influence, hence pushing Giggs as manager. Fergie eyes "back seat driver" role, wants LVG out.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
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
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Woodward wants Co92 'legend' for marketing purposes but hates competition from Co92 'brand': MUFC employees banned from Co92 hotel last year
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Woodward appoints Giggs, gives Ferg back influence; appoints Jose, Ferg shunted but Giggs might quit. Plus sacking LVG looks bad = STALEMATE
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Wward clueless re f'ball matters & terrified of making wrong call. Has to keep stringing Mourinho along (Dec contact+last week) in meantime.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
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"
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
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.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Other big problem for Woodward is sacking LVG + missing CL is v expensive. As is Mourinho. Giggs represents budget Glazer-tastic replacement
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Other strands: Mourinho agent Mendes is 'friends' with Wward; also long in business with Ferg+Gill & now Co92 through ValenciaFC & Peter Lim
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Rooney also a factor:still biggest draw for sponsors - being onside with him helps get in with Wward, hence Co92 praising his "performances"
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
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
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Entire shambles = Glazers reaping what theyve sown since 2005: theyre reluctant to even invest in youth system as it's "not cost effective"
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Most damning thing is Fergie-Charlton-Gill will mobilise vs double EuroCup-winning Mourinho but welcomed the Glazer vultures with open arms.
— Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016
Wow.
It paints a picture of a club that truly doesn't know where it wants to go, which is what the narrative out of UK based journalists with access to the people involved in the club have been pushing.
It also offers an understandable reason as to why Mourinho was overlooked for the job when David Moyes was appointed, despite Fergie's seemingly friendly relationship with the Portuguese.
It's cause for concern for United fans, mainly because nobody knows whether this is all accurate or not as nobody knows what the hell is going on at the club right now. Will Mourinho be the next manager? Will Louis Van Gaal be sacked before the season ends?
It's all so confusing, but you would have to imagine that should Manchester United fail to beat Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup on Monday, then a stance is going to have to be taken once and for all.
