Manchester United pre-season tour: Ed Woodward leaves United States for 'general business reasons'
The move will likely fuel speculation over imminent transfer business
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Your support makes all the difference.Ed Woodward has left Manchester United's tour of the United States for "general business reasons".
Less than 24 hours after telling United fans new signings would be coming to Old Trafford this summer, the club's executive vice-chairman decided he would head back to the UK on Monday night.
Woodward left the club's tour last summer because of what was described at the time as 'urgent transfer business'.
But this time, United insist Woodward's departure from the four-match tour is due to "general business reasons" and is not due to a specific imminent transfer.
Woodward has been busy in the market already this summer, spending upwards of £50million on Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, who have joined new boss Louis van Gaal and the rest of the squad on tour in America.
During an interview with MUTV on Sunday, Woodward insisted the double signing would not be the last foray into the transfer market.
"We've been working with Louis over several weeks with regards to targets and we're continuing to move forward on some of those targets," Woodward said in an interview filmed in Los Angeles, where United kick off their tour against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday.
"We are still a huge attraction to top football stars around the world - there is no doubt about that.
"I hope [fans] will see the direction we're heading in with the new manager, coaching staff and players, and a commitment to do what it takes to get back to the top.
"We are willing to invest. There is no fixed budget.
"Financially we are extremely strong and funds are available. Louis is assessing what's going on and there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, so watch this space."
United have allowed Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to leave while Patrice Evra joined Juventus on Monday for £1.2million.
Asked if other players could be leaving United, Woodward added: "Yes, I think so. The manager makes that decision. A few players have already gone and there may well be a few others."
PA
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