'Ed Woodward Had 'Tears In His Eyes' After Abuse On Social Media

Ed Woodward had 'tears in his eyes' after being the subject of abuse on social media from Manchester United fans, according to former Anderlecht sporting director Michael Verschueren.

In recent years United have had plenty of issues both on the pitch and off the pitch, with the latter often being the main cause of the former.

Woodward has been at the centre of a lot of criticism due to his record in the transfer window, often about the players he hasn't signed rather than the ones who have come in since taking over from David Gill in 2013.

Fans have turned to social media in the past to lambast how he runs the club, and some even turned up at his house and through flares at his family home.

Clearly that abuse has affected the 49-year-old, with a fellow club director Verschueren revealing that in a meeting two years ago he saw the United man with 'tears in his eyes.'

"Two years ago, I was accompanied by Ed Woodward, the CEO of Manchester United, who was going through a sporting slump at the time," the Anderlecht man told Het Laatste Nieuws, via the Daily Express.

"He showed me tweets from supporters: 'Look Michael, how cruel the fans can be' - the tears were in his eyes.

Woodward and Sir Alex Ferguson have had better performances to watch this season. Image: PA Images

"Today Manchester United are the leader [second] in the Premier League.

"I messaged Woodward a few days ago to congratulate him. He texted me back saying, 'You know how tough the journey was'."

Whilst United are now in a Premier League title race, with rivals Manchester City the only side above them in the league, things aren't going too well for Verschueren's team.

Anderlecht, led by former City defender Vincent Kompany, are currently fifth in the league, 19 points behind league leaders Club Brugge after 25 games.

Vincent Kompany has had a tough start to life as a manager. Image: PA Images

The club's director tried to use Woodward's experience to defend what's going on with his side, adding, "Well, that's my message to our supporters: the journey will not be easy in the coming years, but Anderlecht will be back.

"However, continuing to deposit blind money into the account is not the solution. We will continue to talk constructively."

It's unlikely to come as much comfort for fans of the club. They most recently won the league title in 2017, finished third the following season and have finished sixth and eighth in the past two years.

source https://www.sportbible.com/football/foul-play-ed-woodward-had-tears-in-his-eyes-after-abuse-on-social-media-20210206