“The first step in solving any problem is being able to admit there is a problem.”

There’s a high chance that Ed Woodward and the Glazer family have heard that saying in their lifetimes, yet it appears neither party has the humility to follow through on that quote and make efforts to amend the problem.

Woodward took over as Manchester United chief executive in 2013, not long after the club won its 13th Premier League title, and 20th top-flight championship all-time. In the years since, the team performances have been a far cry from those when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager. Even in the three seasons since 2013 when the club has finished in the top four, they were never serious title challengers.

Naturally, one’s first instinct when looking at the less-than-impressive record may be to question the manager. David Moyes certainly didn’t have the same impact on the dressing room that Ferguson had. Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho did win silverware, but not on a consistent basis. And it would be an understatement to refer to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as a “roller coaster.”

For all the problems the managers have faced, the one constant has been Woodward in a management position. He succeeded David Gill in the role, having previously worked at the club in a financial capacity, and his lack of experience in on-field matters has made its presence known decisively.

Take the opening three matches of the 2020-21 Premier League season, for example. United have been outscored 11-5 by Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Tottenham. Yet with the transfer deadline looming, the club have made one signing (Donny Van de Beek), while sending several players out on loan. A lot of attention has been given to potential forwards who could join, but what about the defense? Harry Maguire is truly in the midst of a “sophomore slump,” while others have shown they might not be up to par. It falls to Woodward and the board to bring in new players, and while title-challenging clubs have made moves leading up to the deadline, United are about to sleep through the alarm.

Alex Telles and Edinson Cavani are reportedly about to join, but the fact remains Woodward has acted less than admirably in his time as chief executive. Not unlike certain Americans, he appears only interested in making sure he keeps his current position – having power for the sake of power, yet doing nothing with it. He’s now in his eighth season in charge; how much longer until he or the Glazers recognize a change within themselves is needed?