Man United shareholders given chance to grill Woodward about current crisis but ask him how loan system works instead

MANCHESTER UNITED supremo Ed Woodward was spared a grilling over the club's dire form on a shareholders' webcast - and asked to explain what a player loan was instead.

Woodward was available for a grilling about United's problems on the pitch when he chaired a regular quarterly-review session after announcing record revenues of £627.1million.

But in a rare chance to hold the executive vice-chairman to account for some of the decisions being made at Old Trafford, the only question he faced was from someone who couldn't grasp how a player can be sent out on loan to another club.

The investor asked: "You mentioned player loans, I sometimes find that a little confusing.

"I get the transfer market but can you explain why loans have taken off and what they actually mean?"

Woodward, who has been criticised for overseeing a dramatic slump in fortunes for United since taking charge, briefly explained how the loan system worked.

But that was still not enough for the puzzled money-man from a city corporation.

He followed up: "Let me ask directly, is a loan a way to work around paying agent fees?"

Having explained that loans have been common in the transfer market for some time, Woodward then faced no further questions before the webcast finished.

Woodward's performance at the helm at United has been criticised having worked his way through three managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

United slumped to eighth in the Premier League with their 2-0 defeat at West Ham, a display which led to boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tearing into his players.

Former boss Jose Mourinho claimed United had got worse since he was sacked by Woodward last December.

And club legend Roy Keane says it is scary how far United have fallen, claiming they lack any leaders and any character.