Ed Woodward reveals United's scouting process

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has outlined the scouting process at Manchester United and detailed how the club conducts its incoming transfer business.

Woodward has overseen deals to acquire Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer and the work to identify targets clearly takes some time. Admitting it is a "relentless" pursuit of fresh talent, he reveals a shortlist is drawn up for each position targeted. 

When asked to detail the process involved, he said in an extensive and exclusive interview with MUTV: "It’s actually fairly straightforward. We have a global scouting network that’s all over many countries and key markets from a football perspective. The scouts are watching matches and we have a huge amount of data we purchase and a pyramid approach in terms of delivering that information to our chief scout and his team who are assessing it. 

"So we’re always able to look at a position and have our view in terms of the list of targets that we think will suit Manchester United and help our team. That list is then discussed with Louis [van Gaal] and his staff and there’s a process of further analysis done. 

"Once Louis sets his targets – and I think it’s always important to have more than one target for each position, because you have to accept that sometimes you may not get your first choice for whatever reason, so let’s plan ahead and look at two and three – then all I do is go and negotiate the deals with the club and the player. It’s straightforward, although it may not be easy in terms of negotiations."