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Manchester United will announce their quarterly figures on Thursday

Old Trafford: Home of Manchester United
Image: Old Trafford: United figures due on Thursday

Manchester United will announce their latest set of quarterly financial figures at lunchtime on Thursday. Sky Sports News HQ's James Cooper looks at what they could contain - and what they indicate about the future at Old Trafford.

This time last year when Ed Woodward addressed investors, he predicted Manchester United would be back in a position to challenge for trophies.

It's something that hasn't really materialised - but Louis van Gaal has all but met his top-four target with two Premier League games remaining.

While it's highly unlikely that United's Executive Chairman will put a figure on the 'war chest' the Dutchman will have available in the summer, he has the comfort of knowing the club's return to the Champions League and new kit sponsorship deal with Adidas, which begins on August 1st, will swell the coffers by an extra £100m.

Van Gaal is already well aware of Manchester United’s financial power and after spending big in his first window, he is equipped to do so again with the emphasis on getting business done quickly, where possible.

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Last summer, Manchester United brought in six new faces and a similar influx could arrive in the coming weeks hot on the heels of Dutch winger Memphis Depay - but the transfer mantra right now is quality rather than quantity.

At this stage, Van Gaal's plans for his second season in charge include Angel Di Maria but the uncertainty surrounding Radamel Falcao's future is unlikely to be resolved by Woodward in his post-statement chat, which usually encompasses half a dozen questions from those listening to the conference call.

What investors can expect to hear, on top of details of how Manchester United have performed in the first three months of 2015, is a man in charge of a club that is fighting back and looking forward to playing Champions League football again.

And when Woodward says he expects Van Gaal's side to seriously contend for honours next season, he probably has good reason to mean it.

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