Manchester United Vice Chairman Ed Woodward denied claims on Wednesday, claiming the club was part of a breakaway European Super League bid and concentrating on the future of the Champions League official talks with UEFA.
On Tuesday, a report by Sky Sports reported that United, Liverpool and other European top clubs were working on a project to create a European breakaway League.
“I’ve seen the headlines and honestly don’t really know where this storey came from, it’s not anything we can tell,” Woodward told investors on an appeal.
Woodward said it participated in formal talks with UEFA on the format for the 2024 Champions League as a member of the European Club Association (ECA).
“The ECA and UEFA are consulting with both organisations about future Champions League changes in the years ’24,” Woodward said.
UEFA is firmly against any Super League but has openly participated in the Champions League framework reform discussions.
“I believe there was a report on whether the League can be championed by 36 teams two or three days ago in the press; these are the discussions in which we actively engage,” Woodward said.
Last week, the idea of United and Liverpool to adjust the structure and allocation of income in English football was leaked, and Premier League clubs rejected it.
But Woodward said that it will be an important part of the Premier League policy analysis and talks on funding help for lower-league clubs that were severely impacted by the pandemic of coronavirus.
“The English football pyramid is fully sponsored, in both the short-term and long-term approach, by resolving the problems raised by COVID-19 and enhancing financial sustainability at every level of the game,” he said.
“We must ensure that the Premier League ‘s huge popularity is improved while ensuring a continued prosperity of the larger football pyramid in a rapidly evolving climate for media.”