Where are they now? Woodward’s first 10 Manchester United signings

During his nine years as Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward wasn’t exactly the most popular figure at Old Trafford, despite spending a lot of money on signings new players.

Woodward, who replaced David Gill in 2013, has been criticised for United’s struggles in the transfer market and their poor performances in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

We’ve taken a look at his first 10 signings at United and how they’ve fared since. Note: we’ve only included players that were 18 or over at the time and went on to play for United’s first team. Apologies to Sadiq El Fitouri.

The first player signed in the David Moyes era (if it can indeed be called an era), Varela spent his debut season in United’s reserves and was on loan at Real Madrid B for the following campaign. 

He made 11 first-team appearances under Louis van Gaal in 2016 but a poor display against Liverpool in the Europa League marked the end of his United career.

A loan to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2016-17 didn’t work out as planned either as the right-back went for a tattoo days before the German Cup final, only to ultimately miss the match after it became infected.

He rejoined Uruguayan side Penarol on a permanent deal and then spent a couple of years at Copenhagen, where he played against United in the Europa League in 2020.

The 29-year-old has since moved to Russia and is currently playing for Dynamo Moscow. 

After being linked with Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas in the summer of 2013, United fans were a bit underwhelmed when Fellaini arrived at Old Trafford.

United famously allowed the midfielder’s £23.5million buyout clause to expire in mid-August, only to buy him on deadline day for £27.5million.

“You can ask my staff – the last thing I