That doesn't mean he gave Woodward a list of targets though. Knowing which position needs filling and then selecting the players you want to fill those positions- which from everything LVG has said he seemed in no hurry to do, because he wants to get it right, are different. This might have meant Woodward didn't really have a target "mission" until after the tour.
What has Woodward done in his role as player negotiator to give you confidence that he is good at his job?
Mata wasn't even a player needed, it was just a transfer of convenience for both Chelsea and United. Looked like a good piece of business by both clubs, but LVG stated himself that the club had too many players in that position. .
Maybe you would blame DM, but the club bought Shaw and Herrera on its own bat. LVG might of said "well if you think we need them go ahead", but he had virtually zero input in signing these youngsters who were sounded out last year and it took that year for woodward to get them. This would suggest that the clubs scouting network is highly trusted and constantly looking at club preferred targets, irrespective of the manager. Are you saying the club or LVG literally had no idea of any potential targets when LVG identified positions players were needed ?
Then you look at the fact that Evra was let go and Buttner was sold. So LVG, from the start stated that he was going with 3-5-2 because of the attacking options available to him. But you think he didn't know very early on that he would need a CB and a LWB? Shaw was a LB, not even an attacking kind of LWB ! . .
Ok, he wanted to try out the existing squad, even trying players out of position, but I don't think that would of made much of a difference in terms of who he would of identified as a preferably addition to the squad.
While none of us can say categorically Woodward has failed, there is less evidence to suggest even anecdotally that he is a competent negotiator in the football arena. .
