© Provided by Daily MailMailOnline logo
Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has become the first victim of the collapsed European Super League after he dramatically left his job on Tuesday night.
Woodward was a key figure in the fiercely controversial plans for the new breakaway league, with his links to US investment bank JP Morgan helping to secure the £4.3billion in financing.
But after Manchester City and Chelsea's shock decision to pull out of the ESL, the plans began to crumble and Woodward swiftly left the role he has held for eight years.
© Provided by Daily MailEd Woodward has resigned from his position as executive vice chairman at Manchester United
© Provided by Daily MailThe United chief was behind the plot to create the controversial European Super League
United cannot confirm the news until the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange later on Tuesday night, but they have not denied that he has gone.
There are suggestions that Woodward was planning to step down at the end of the year but it has been brought forward because of the possibility of leaks.
However, it is hard to get away from the fact that Woodward's departure comes so soon after his part in one of the most controversial and despised moves in the history of football.
United talisman Bruno Fernandes was the first player representing a Super League club to speak out against the plot on Monday, saying 'dreams can't be bought' on social media.
© Provided by Daily MailUnited stars held a Zoom call with Woodward to express their discomfort with the bold plot
© Provided by Daily MailBruno Fernandes expressed his disappointment at the plans by responding to Daniel Podence's anger at the Super League via social media
Sportsmail also reported that some members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad were angered after they found out about the breakaway European Super League - and their own employer's central role in it - via the media on Sunday.
Insiders have disclosed that some also felt Solskjaer was thrown under the bus when left to face questions from Sky after the story had broken during their 3-1 victory over Burnley on Sunday.
They made their feelings known and the executive vice chairman delivered a briefing via Zoom to explain the club's position at their training base.
Sources say the reception among many of the squad was 'lukewarm at best'.
Woodward, who recently moved to London from Manchester, is said to have told the squad they were acting in the club's best interests.
'Some of the players were seriously unimpressed,' a source explained. 'Not only that they were left to find out by the media about what had happened but that their manager was left to face the press when the owners had concocted this.
'Woodward attempted to appease them but the response was lukewarm at best. It hasn't gone down well with many of them.'
More to follow
© Provided by Daily MailWoodward helped the Glazers purchase the club, and the Americans were a driving force behind the European Super League alongside Liverpool and Arsenal's owners
Read more