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Ed Woodward: 'Announcement on Manchester United academy is imminent'

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward tells investors that an announcement on the club's academy system is 'imminent'.

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has revealed that an announcement on the club's academy "will follow in the coming days".

Man United released their financial results for the second quarter on Thursday, which revealed that the club's commercial revenue had risen 42.5% to £66.1m.

Woodward then spoke to the club's investors during a conference call and was quizzed on the academy system, which has been criticised this season.

"We took the departure of Brian McClair last summer as the chance to do a root and branch review of the academy," revealed Woodward. "That is now complete and changes are underway, and announcements will follow in the coming days.

"I think in terms of the future, our key competitive advantages are still very strong, and the two I would call out are an unmatched record of player development, compared to any other team, particularly in England, and secondly the runway of first-team opportunities we deliver to those players coming through, again very different to some of our competitors."

Man United's Under-18 team currently sit bottom of the northern table, having lost 14 of their 19 league games this season. They were also thumped 5-1 by Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup last month.

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 Ed Woodward prepare to ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on August 10, 2012
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