ED WOODWARD has joined Manchester United’s players for their flight to Serbia ahead of their Europa League clash with Partizan Belgrade on Thursday.
The Red Devils executive vice chairman was pictured walking into the airport with other stars but in a big blow to United fans, David De Gea was missing from the travelling party.
Ed Woodward was pictured entering Manchester airport with the rest of the squad ahead of their flight to Belgrade
Under-fire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer posed for pictures with fans on his way into the airport
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led the group into Manchester airport this afternoon and there were a number of notable omissions.
Paul Pogba, Axel Tuanzebe and Luke Shaw were all absent but Jesse Lingard is back in the fold.
De Gea misses out with a groin problem while Lingard has shrugged off a hamstring injury to join back in with his teammates.
Woodward is under intense pressure at the moment for his role in United’s gradual decline since he took over from David Gill.
And his decision to fly with the players has surprised some given his recent claim he “does not want to be famous and can’t be mates with the players”.
The 47-year-old ex-banker was also recently forced to deny he picks transfers by watching YouTube videos.
He said: “The decisions related to recruitment are all taken by football experts. My involvement is signing off the money.
“”I don’t get involved in recruitment like people think I do. There’s a myth that I look at YouTube and choose players. I don’t. Having an eye for players is an art. I have no interest in doing that.”
Man Utd travelling squad for Partizan Belgrade game
Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero, Lee Grant, Matej Kovar;
Defenders
Phil Jones, Ethan Laird, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Marcos Rojo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams;
Midfielders
Fred, James Garner, Daniel James, Jesse Lingard, Scott McTominay, Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira;
Attackers
Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford.
Marcus Rashford led his team into the airport
Harry Maguire looked glum as he walked in with his teammates
The senior squad includes youngster Ethan Laird for the first time
Juan Mata and Anthony Martial were also part of the travelling party
Aaron Wan-Bissaka walked through fans as he made his way off the coach
Michael Carrick is part of the United coaching party
