Ed Woodward will continue at Manchester United until the end of 2021; he had already agreed with the Glazers, United’s owners, that he would leave Old Trafford, but the announcement has been brought forward

The news came after Chelsea and Manchester City announced they had decided to leave the breakaway Super League following a mass rejection of the plans by fans and governing bodies across Europe. Later on Tuesday evening, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs all said they had also withdrawn.

Woodward: I will treasure my time at Old Trafford.

Woodward, who joined United in 2005 and became executive vice-chairman in 2012, said: “I am extremely proud to have served United, and it has been an honour to work for the world’s greatest football club for the past 16 years.” The club is well positioned for the future, and it will be difficult to walk away at the end of the year.

“I will treasure the memories from my time at Old Trafford, during a period when we won the Europa League, the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. I am proud of the regeneration of the club’s culture and our return to the Manchester United way of playing.

“We have invested more than £1bn in the squad during my time here and I am particularly delighted with the progress the players have made under the astute leadership of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching team in the last two years.

“I am sure that with the changes we have made on-field and to the coaching and football staff in recent years this great club will soon be lifting silverware again. It deserves to.

“I desperately wanted the club to win the Premier League during my tenure and I am certain the foundations are in place for us to win it back for our passionate fans.

“Our world-famous academy is flourishing again, with 34 players progressing into the first team since 2013, and it has been a pleasure to watch talents such as Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Axel Tuanzebe flourish in the first-team environment. In the years to come the club’s production line of young talent will continue to push established first-team players for their places. That competition bodes well for the future.

“We have also established Manchester United women and their progress is further evidence of the demand for success at this great club.”

Joel Glazer: Woodward contribution has been massive
Co-chairman Joel Glazer added: “Ed Woodward has served the club with great distinction. On behalf of everyone at United I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for his tireless work and dedication.

“His contribution to the club has been massive, and he will always be welcome at Old Trafford as a part of the Manchester United family.”

United stood down from the European Club Association (ECA) on Sunday and Woodward stepped down from his UEFA roles.

Sky Sports News has been told the decision for Woodward to leave United is an amicable one and unrelated to the Super League proposal.