Manchester United chief Ed Woodward expects active transfer market after Memphis Depay deal

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward expects the club to be further active in the transfer window this summer following the announcement of their latest financial results for the third fiscal quarter.

The Premier League giants, who featured third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona on Forbes' annual list of the world's most valuable football clubs released earlier in May, have already secured one purchase ahead of the 2015/16 campaign with PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay expected to sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford next week after the two clubs agreed upon a fee believed to be in the region of £31m ($48.9).

"We are delighted with the progress made so far under Louis (van Gaal) in his first season as manager and with only two games remaining, we are well positioned to achieve a top-four finish in the Premier League and therefore return to European football next season," Woodward told investors in a conference call that followed the release of the club's latest figures on 14 May.

"Regarding this summer's transfer activity, we have already started implementing our plans and last week announced that Memphis Depay, viewed as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, will be joining our first team.

"We expect to be active again during the window but it's too early to give guidance on transfers or wages at this point."

As well as confirming that a number of players whose contracts are due to expire in 2016 will be offered fresh terms to stay, Woodward also stated his belief that Manchester United's playing squad will be strong enough to compete for silverware both domestically and in Europe moving forward.

"There are several players out of, if you like our 30 first-team players, maybe eight or nine who are out of contract at the end of next season. There are only a couple this season who are on the periphery so it's not going to have a major impact from an inflationary perspective because that's a fairly normal ratio to be honest," said Woodward.

"Obviously a number of those who have one year left will be offered new contracts. The squad will be absolutely deep enough and ready to challenge on all fronts, all competitions next year and that, as ever, does involve some ins and out in the summer which we're not going to guide on in terms of number."

Although Manchester United, who begin a lucrative 10-year kit deal with Adidas next season, suffered a 39% decrease in broadcasting revenue and a 31.3% decrease in matchday revenue due to fewer home matches and an absence from Champions League competition, the club also saw commercial revenue increase to £47.8m - a rise of 11.7%.

Sponsorship overall jumped to £37.5m due to a number of new agreements, while staff costs decreased by 6% to £50.2m.

In response to a query over stadium naming rights, Woodward, who has been in his current role since 2012, sought to clarify previous reports that the club had chosen not to entertain the possibility of such a deal that could potentially generate a further £20-25m.

"I think the comment was that we had no intention of doing a process to sell naming rights relating to Old Trafford. I have no idea where that £20 million came from. We are not sitting here with an offer we are ignoring, no."