Woodward: Manchester United shops in 'different market' than Leicester

Embattled Manchester United vice chairman Ed Woodward has hailed the achievements of Leicester City this term, but says the two teams' transfer strategies are incomparable.

The Foxes have stormed to the top of the Premier League with a team predominantly made up of cut-price misfits and supposed has-beens, but Woodward, under scrutiny for questionable transfer dealings and a lack of football background in his curriculum vitae, says United's size means it shops in "a different market."

"Leicester is a fantastic reference point for everyone," Woodward said in a conference call to investors. "The philosophy we have is to target quality of players, based on a huge amount of scouting, and then do the best deal we can."

Other clubs have already moved to emulate Leicester's scouting model, with Arsenal recently poaching video analyst Ben Wrigglesworth - although mischievous television pundit Gary Lineker claims the North London side poached the wrong man.

Woodward maintains that United tends to procure more up-market talent than the Foxes, however.

"There is more pressure on the bigger clubs to bring in players who hit the ground running, possibly world class," he said. "It is a different market."

Leicester boasts the most fruitful attacking duo in the league in Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who cost a collective £1.4 million. By comparison, Woodward has overseen signings of marquee players such as Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, and Memphis Depay, who cost around £115 million, but with limited success.

Woodward is unconcerned by the spending power of the Chinese Super League, too, which has attracted many big names including Fredy Guarin, Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira, and Ramires in recent weeks. Instead of being intimidated, he views it as a potential destination for unwanted players in the future.

"If nothing else, it is a useful market if we are looking to sell any players," he said.

United's only bit of business over the January transfer window was recalling Will Keane and Adnan Januzaj from their respective loan spells, while pressure still remains on manager Louis van Gaal as the club is currently six points adrift of Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils travel to struggling Sunderland in Saturday's Premier League clashes.