Woodward plays an important role in the Red Devils’ transfer dealings and has been at the club since Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign – but what does he do? Despite not being quite as big of a household name as the likes of Alex Ferguson or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United executive-vice chairman Ed Woodward has become a name frequently mentioned alongside the club’s transfer activity and commercial endeavours. Woodward had a famous falling out with former United coach Jose Mourinho after refusing to deliver his transfer targets, and is largely responsible for overseeing and landing transfer targets. Woodward was the man responsible for securing Paul Pogba’s €105 million (£90m) transfer to Man…

Liverpool had been listed amongst the potential suitors for Eden’s brother, but a move to Westfalenstadion is now on the cards Borussia Monchengladbach’s Thorgan Hazard has confirmed that he has reached a personal agreement with Borussia Dortmund ahead of a move to Signal Iduna Park but that the clubs are still in negotiations over a transfer fee. Despite playing second fiddle in the headlines to older brother Eden, Hazard has been quietly improving during his time with Gladbach and is currently on course to have his best season in the Bundesliga with nine goals and nine assists to his name this term. Rumours had linked the Belgian attacker to Liverpool,…

The Ecuador defender has struggled with injury in recent months but will have the opportunity to say goodbye to the fans Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is optimistic he will be able to give Antonio Valencia the send-off the club captain deserves as he prepares for his final Manchester United appearance against Cardiff on Sunday. Valencia has enjoyed a distinguished career at United, having joined from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2009. While some felt he was an underwhelming replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after he left for Real Madrid, the Ecuador international enjoyed a bright first season only for a broken ankle in his second campaign to set him back. Although he…

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar found plenty to be pleased with in his side’s 19-13 win over the Waratahs but he has his fingers crossed for young backrower Rob Valetini. Valetini hobbled off the field in the 53rd minute with a knee injury, after the joint was twisted awkwardly in a maul, and the no. 6 was walking on crutches donning a brace post-match. The 20-year-old has been cruelled by medial ligament injuries in the past two seasons and though McKellar could say it wasn’t a repeat of that, he couldn’t confirm a full prognosis. “It was awkward – fingers crossed he just got a fright,” he said. “There’s the potential…

Former Wallabies scrumhalf Chris Whitaker will return home to the Waratahs next season after signing a two-year coaching deal. Whitaker has been on the Waratahs’ radar for some time and he has inked a contract to assist coach Daryl Gibson, who has extended his tenure to at least 2019. The 48-Test halfback will join Simon Cron as a Waratahs assistant, after the departure of attack coach Chris Malone. Whitaker has a long history in Australia and overseas, playing with Leinster before coaching in France with Stade Francais and most recently co-coaching Pro D2 side Montauban. Gibson said his global experience would be a major asset for the club. “I’ve talked…

Matt To’omua’s planned Rebels move has been public knowledge for months but the utility’s first day in Melbourne ultimately came somewhat unexpectedly. The utility back confirmed a deal with the Rebels back in August last year, ahead of his final season with Premiership side the Leicester Tigers, but was never going to be available until the European year ended. Nine months later, he’s arrived in Melbourne and though it was only a week earlier than scheduled, his trip was planned and completed in just a day. To’omua was watching as Rebels flyhalf Quade Cooper was taken off with a head knock against the Reds and didn’t think much of it,…

The Shute Shield is the only premier grade action this weekend with most states taking an Easter break. There won’t be any shortage of good clashes to watch, though, with the grand final rematch between Sydney Uni and Warringah kicking things off. SHUTE SHIELD Friday April 19. All times AEST Sydney Uni vs Warringah, University Ground No. 2, 3:05pm Sydney Uni Matt Sandell, Tom Horton, Wayne Borsak, Nick Coaldrake, Jack Sherratt, Nick Champon de Crespigny, Rory Sutor, Mitch Whiteley, Banjo Travers, Stu Dunbar, Harry Potter, Will McDonnell, Guy Porter, James Armstrong, James Kane Warringah Baxter King, Rob Kelly, Sam Needs, Sam Thompson , Matt Foulds, Max Girdler, Jack Hayson, Sam…

The Waratahs crashed to another close defeat in another lost opportunity to move up the Aussie conference ladder. What are we talking about? GROUNDHOG DAY Asked post-match what had gone wrong in Pretoria, Michael Hooper replied: “You know, the usual things.” It was probably an off-the-cuff line to tee up the usual reasons for defeat but the Waratahs’ loss to the Bulls also felt like a very specific brand of NSW defeat. Namely, a self-inflicted one. The Waratahs’ discipline, inaccurate breakdown work and frazzled option-taking turned what was a winnable game into a losing bonus point. The only thing missing was Ned Ryerson. Loftus is a hard place to win,…

Early in his career, if Scott Higginbotham’s emotion spilled over, it was likely to lead to an on-field altercation. But it was tears, not flying fists, the 32-year-old had to watch on Saturday night as he celebrated his 100th game for the state he loves. While he has also captained the Rebels, played in Japan and will leave Queensland to play in France next season, little means more to Higginbotham than family and the Reds – and the two are intertwined. The former TSS student joined a rare group when he entered the “100 club” and carrying his son Aubrey on to the field ahead of the game, before having…

UPDATE: Israel Folau has been stood down by the Waratahs until further notice with Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby signalling their continued intent to sack the Wallabies star. After more than 24 hours of attempting to contact Folau, Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby met with the 30-year-old at the Rugby Australia offices on Friday and remained unmoved in their determination to terminate his four-year, multi-million dollar contract. Initially, no suspension had been imposed on Folau but NSW Rugby released a statement on Friday night confirming it would stand the fullback down. The Waratahs are on a bye this week but will reconvene early next week ahead of their round 10…