NEWS » esults, he thinks strides have been made in re

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward failed to mention under-fire manager Louis van Gaal as he discussed record quarterly revenues with the clubs investors on Friday.United are on course to become the first British club to earn more than £500m in a single year, after announcing record revenues of £123.4m - up 29.9 per cent from last year - for the third quarter of 2016.But that success off the pitch has not been matched by the teams fortunes on it, with United trailing rivals Manchester City by two points in the race for fourth place heading into their final Premier League game of the season at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 2.30pm. The clubs damaging 3-2 defeat at West Ham on Tuesday has piled pressure on the Dutchman as United face up to the prospect of missing out on Champions League football for the second time in three seasons. Woodward touched on a variety of topics in his nine-minute conference call with investors as he outlined Uniteds willingness to spend this summer, while also praising the clubs youth academy, but did not refer to Van Gaal at any point.There has been a continued inflation in player transfers, given the increase in money flowing around the industry, Woodward explained. It is the heart of the club. It is in our DNA. That will help in terms of net transfer spend. Ed Woodward on Man Utds academy You know as a club, we will always invest in the squad to the extent that we feel we need to so that were challenging for titles.But I think this sustained level is probably relatively high compared to what is needed.The academy is helping us in terms of net transfer spend. The market has become more competitive.It is the heart of the club. It is in our DNA. That will help in terms of net transfer spend. Louis van Gaal watches United lose to West Ham on Tuesday Uniteds transfer spending since Van Gaal succeeded David Moyes has been mammoth, with the Dutchman allowed to spend more than a quarter of a billion pounds on 12 new players as he has completely overhauled the squad.But that outlay has not translated into improved performances on the pitch with Van Gaals side, who are on course to shatter the clubs record total for fewest goals scored in a Premier League season, trailing champions Leicester by 17 points heading into the final weekend.Woodward admits it has become far more difficult for teams to simply spend their way out of trouble.I have to say it has become more competitive, Woodward conceded. It became more competitive when Chelsea had a change of ownership 13 years ago, it obviously got more competitive when Manchester City changed ownership about five years ago. Record revenue for United Manchester United announce record quarterly revenue The last round increase [of TV rights money] was 70 per cent domestically. Obviously were in the last year of that cycle, and visibility into the next years cycle - from domestic money going up by a similar percentage - obviously makes all the other clubs more competitive in the Premier League.But I think the way we view it is that we know we have strengths and we have to focus on giving ourselves the best chance in every single area of the club that we can.Yes, thats the academy, but it also means in recruitment, it means the coaching staff, it means having the best medical department, sports science facilities, etc. Its trying to get the extra one per cent from all of those areas that influences and impacts the first-team. WBA lightweight champion and Manchester United season ticket holder Anthony Crolla gives his thoughts on a tough season for the clubAlso See:Record revenue for UnitedMerse: United must get MourinhoChelsea beat United on shirt salesCrolla: Time for LVG to goBalenciaga Sneakers Discount . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Balenciaga Outlet Online Uk . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. http://www.balenciagaoutletuk.com/ . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. Balenciaga Uk Website . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Balenciaga Sneakers Wholesale . -- Arizona raced out to a big lead and did not back off, hitting the accelerator instead.BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Keeping a dynasty seems even more challenging than creating one. Just ask Hall of Fame car owner Rick Hendrick.The NASCAR titan has fielded 11 Sprint Cup champions over the past 21 years, won 242 Sprint Cup races and just two seasons ago had all four of his star drivers- Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne -- in the 16-team championship chase.These days, Johnson is Hendricks only surefire contender locked into the chase, although hes got others knocking on the door. Hendrick understands its a time of transition for his proud, powerful organization.You sign guys and you cant believe that Jimmie Johnson, or Dale or Jeff Gordon are 40 years old, Hendrick said. But time moves on.And brings change.Gordon retired last year, although he has driven the past four races for Earnhardt, who is recovering from a concussion that has put his playoffs in doubt. Chase Elliott, Gordons replacement, stands 12th in points and is a good bet to keep his spot in the chase. Kahne, at 17th, needs a victory to guarantee moving on.I think everybodys looking for that next superstar, Hendrick said. And if youre not willing to invest in the future, then youre going to be in a bind when the time comes.Hendrick took steps toward that last week, signing 18-year-old truck series leader William Byron to race Xfinity cars next season. In Hendricks eyes, Byron is that budding star wholl keep the organization chasing checkered flags for a long time.Byron raced trucks for Kyle Busch Motorsports and looked to have a future at Joe Gibbs Racing, the current power player in NASCAR. But with Busch, the defending Sprint Cup champion, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin all in their 30s (the fourth member is 44-year-old Matt Kenseth), there may not be room for advancement at JGR.David Wilson, president and general manager, Toyota Racing Development, USA, said Byron was a talent they hated to lose. I dont think we were anticipating the next step this soon, he said. I dont think William was anticipating it this soon.Dont fret for Toyota, which is developing several young drivers. Xfinity driver Erik Jones will advance to Sprint Cup with Toyota team Furniture Row Racing next year.Daniel Suarez, a 24-year-old JGR driver, was part of NASCAR Next and its Drive for Diversity program..dddddddddddd He became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR race when he took the Xfinity race at Michigan two months.All, though, will have to wait their time. The JGR quartet -- think of the Golden State Warriors on wheels -- have won 10 of 23 races this season and are all locked into the playoffs for a championship run.Edwards, the groups newest member, said the level of cooperation between very competitive teams and drivers keeps all of them sharp.Yeah, were running really well, but its not one thing, its a very good foundation of teamwork and it all starts with Coach Gibbs, Edwards said. Its cool to be a part of it.Roush Fenway Racing, with 135 Sprint Cup wins and two championships, has also dealt with changes in recent years and the need to find young talent. Once a perennial title contender, the organization that featured 2003 title winner Kenseth and Edwards is crossing its fingers looking for one chase entry.Former Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, 25, stands 15th in points, but would get knocked out if race winners Tony Stewart and Chris Buescher both maintain their spots inside the top 30 in points.Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the 28-year-old whos 19th in points, was second Sunday to Kevin Harvick at Bristol Motor Speedway, the highest finish for a Roush Fenway driver this season. Stenhouse said although no one at RFR is satisfied with this years results, he thinks strides have been made in returning to the top.We passed some cars that were running (well) and leading laps throughout the race, Stenhouse said.Buescher, 25, was last years Xfinity champion and is on an extended run in Front Rows affiliation with Roush Fenway. His win at Pocono last month put him in playoff position and he moved up to No. 30 -- the required placing to make the Chase -- with his fifth place at Bristol. A few more strong showings at Michigan, Darlington and Richmond the next few weeks and Buescher will be racing for a title in his first full Sprint Cup season.From the Ford camp side, we know weve got a little bit of work to do yet, and we all know whos been dominant at all these tracks this year, Buescher said. And were working to get ahead of that group. ' ' '