United’s share price has taken a tumble since the start of the year. On Monday, the price of one share dropped below $14 for the first time since flotation in 2012.

At one stage on Wednesday afternoon, United’s shares were worth $13.70.

Woodward and his senior colleagues at United have pulled off some remarkable commercial deals recently, the biggest one being the world-record £750m 10-year kit deal with adidas.

But the team’s performance on the pitch is clearly putting people off buying shares in the club.

United may have earned a creditable 1-1 draw at Chelsea last weekend, but they are now six points off the Champions League qualification places with 13 games to go.

The club have not denied reports that they have held talks with Jose Mourinho about replacing beleaguered manager Louis van Gaal, who has launched a series of attacks on the media recently.

Anthony Martial admits the team have not lived up to expectations in his first year at the club.

“The team’s results haven’t been of the standard we’d have hoped for,” the forward told Inside United.

“But from now on I hope that we can quickly get back into the top three.”

The 20-year-old Frenchman, who has been one of the few impressive players on display at Old Trafford this year, wants to put a smile back on the faces of the fans by winning some silverware.

“I am very determined (to win something),” the £36m signing added.

“The key thing is that it is all about winning, so I hope I can be lifting some trophies as soon as possible.”