From taking the brunt to becoming bulletproof, Ed Woodward is now Manchester United's Mr Fix It

There was a moment just over two years ago when Ed Woodward almost lost Manchester United’s supporters forever.

The vice chairman, so convinced his pick of Louis van Gaal was going to eventually come up smelling of roses, reportedly took the widely disliked manager aside and asked for a little chat.

It wasn’t a conversation to confirm his time was up. In fact, it was one designed to convinced him not to quit.

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Many wanted not only the dull Dutchman out of Old Trafford, but the man who waved him in gone for good as well.

Dismay turned to fury, but Woodward rode out the storm. He’s turned things around and has won respect and, crucially, people over.

It has been announced that Manchester United have recorded a revenue of £163.9m for the second quarter of 2017/18, the three month period ending December 31 2017. It marks a 4 per cent increase on revenue for the same quarter in 2016/17.

Critically, the club’s debt is down nearly 20 per cent. The ship steadied and optimism returning, the David Moyes days seem like a distant memory.

Now, these figures released today don’t include any of the millions paid to Arsenal for Alexis Sanchez, the player’s sizeable wages or payments to his people.

Though confirmation was given that shirt sale with the Chilian’s name are already three times greater than any January purchase the club has made. The numbers are already starting to add up.

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It takes a lot for Jose Mourinho to concede the glory, but the United boss wasn’t interested in taking the plaudits for the Sanchez deal. Those belonged exclusively to Woodward, he demanded.

Debt, and getting it to a manageable situation, remains the greatest challenge. United’s liability is said to be the biggest in world football.

But with an announcement of the new bumper TV deal close, the £464m owed this time a year ago can be considerably chipped away at.

After two managerial failures, the club now has stability. Overhauling Manchester City will be a bridge too far this season, but back in the Champions League they at least have a platform to reclaim their crown.

The figures, and debt reduction in particular, will be observed at Stamford Bridge and Anfield in particular.

The books of Chelsea, in disarray behind the scenes as well as on the pitch, will be eagerly awaited, though having cooled their spending holes shouldn’t appear.

Woodward is yet to totally win around every United fan, but to the New York Stock Exchange and to the Glazers, he’s becoming priceless.