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 club Also See: Record revenue for United Merse: United must get Mourinho Chelsea beat United on shirt sales Crolla: Time for LVG to go Andre Tippett Jersey . RAPTORS STRUGGLING: The bottom line is the true test in sports isnt just how you handle failure, but how you handle success. Isaiah Wynn Jersey . The Rangers announced after Thursdays 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees that they would purchase Williams contract from Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year-old Williams was released by Houston earlier this month after going 1-4 with a 6. http://www.officialnewenglandpatriotsfootball.com/authentic-montee-ball-jersey-womens .Y. -- Phil Jackson lost out on his preferred coach, but hes working hard on keeping his star player. Elandon Roberts Jersey . When the Dallas Mavericks needed to stop a Golden State rally in the fourth quarter, they looked for defensive help from the rookie point guard playing in just his sixth game. Vincent Valentine Jersey . - Ryan Spooner scored twice to lead the Boston Bruins to a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders in a preseason game Friday night.MADRID, Spain -- Athletic Bilbao secured its return to the Champions League next season by winning 3-0 at Rayo Vallecano on Friday to lock up a fourth-place finish in the Spanish league. With Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona destined to take the top three spots, Bilbao fended off Sevillas late surge to seal its return to Europes top-tier competition for the first time since the 1998-99 season. The Basque side qualified for the playoff round to reach the group phase. "When I think back on how difficult this year has been, on how much we have won and lost, and to see this now, we have to enjoy it," Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose said while his teammates celebrated with a large group of their travelling fans. Bilbaos quest of reaching the Champions League was led by coach Ernesto Valverde, a former player who returned to coach the club a second time this summer after the exit of Marcelo Bielsa. Bilbao kept Rayos attack in check while taking advantage of a number of well-executed set pieces..dddddddddddd After Mikel Rico and Aritz Aduriz both went close with shots resulting from corner kicks, San Jose acrobatically tapped in a ball from Markel Susaeta in the 20th minute to open the scoring. Forward Oscar de Marcos added a second goal 10 minutes later when he fired in a loose ball from a fourth corner kick, and Ander Herrera curled his free kick around the defensive wall and in off the post in the 74th to cap the win. The match in Madrid was twice delayed due to incidents involving both groups of supporters. The kickoff was 15 minutes late to let the Vallecas Stadium grounds crew clean up a large amount of paper bits Rayos home fans threw onto the pitch while festively celebrating before the game. The game was briefly stopped a second time after a barrier collapse in front of a section of Bilbao supporters following their teams second goal. TV images showed one man with what appeared to be a cut on his head. Another man needed to be carried off the pitch while he held his foot. Cheap Buffalo Sabres GearWholesale Calgary Flames JerseysCheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche JerseysMontreal Canadiens Outlet StoreWholesale New Jersey Devils JerseysAdidas Arizona Coyotes JerseysCheap Adidas Boston Bruins JerseysCheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes JerseysChicago Blackhawks Shop Free ShippingWholesale Columbus Blue Jackets JerseysDallas Stars Shop Free ShippingCheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings JerseysAnaheim Ducks Jerseys ChinaWholesale Edmonton Oilers JerseysFlorida Panthers Shop Free ShippingWholesale Los Angeles Kings JerseysMinnesota Wild Outlet StoreCheap Adidas Nashville Predators JerseysCheap Adidas New York Islanders JerseysNew York Rangers Winter Classic JerseysCheap Adidas Ottawa Senators JerseysCheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers JerseysWholesale Pittsburgh Penguins JerseysCheap Adidas San Jose Sharks JerseysSt. Louis Blues Winter Classic JerseysWholesale Tampa Bay Lightning JerseysToronto Maple Leafs Outlet StoreVancouver Canucks Outlet StoreCheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights JerseysCheap Adidas Washington Capitals JerseysCheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '