Red Issue provide fascinating insight into the power struggles at Man United [Tweets]

What is going on at Manchester United?

And, how did it come to this mess at Old Trafford?

How is Louis van Gaal still manager of Manchester United?

These are reasonable questions in the aftermath of another disastrous week for Manchester United, one of the biggest and best side in England by some distance.

Last Saturday, Manchester United lost at relegation strugglers Sunderland, then on Thursday they were defeated by Danish minnows Midtjylland.

Would anyone be truly surprised to see Manchester United lose at Shrewsbury tomorrow night in the FA Cup and then fail to see off the Danes at Old Trafford??

With 14 first-team injuries, currently including Wayne Rooney and David De Gea, anything could happen with this Manchester United team.

On Sunday afternoon, the Red Issue Twitter account tried to explain the power struggle at Manchester United.

Red Issue used to run a popular Manchester United fanzine, now they are exclusively a Twitter account and forum, often providing accurate news of events at Old Trafford before the mainstream media.

And, compared to the mainstream media, they have done an excellent job. It explains why there are so many conflicting reports in the media about Manchester United, on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.

There are a number of key figures involved including CEO Ed Woodward, legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, legendary players in Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs.

Plus, the likes of previous CEO David Gill, the Glazers, who own the club and the Class of 92 (including Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, the Neville brothers and David Beckham – the latter three are pre-occupied elsewhere though).

Not forgetting, Jose Mourinho, who is continually linked with the Manchester United job on a daily basis! Plus, of course, his agent Jorge Mendes…

This is quite an incredible state of affairs and you have to wonder how it will end up. Bottom line: Manchester United’s playing results likely won’t improve any time soon!

RI's MUFC boardroom's political skulduggery guide coming up soon… — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Utd's internal power struggles explained (as much as 140 character tweets will allow). MUFC has 2 boards, football club and overall company. — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Woodward + Richard Arnold in commercial-is-king alliance on Company Board vs. Fergie, Gill, Charlton on FC board: https://t.co/HkzhTEbIUj — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Power lies with Company Board (mainly Woodward + Glazers) but Fergie alliance retains huge influence on the ground at OT and Carrington — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Charlton=anti-Mourinho; Fergie too (strung him along in 2012/13: ignore public 'matey' image). Gill was pro- in 2013, overall more anti- now — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Fergie views Jose as "a pup", not in his league. Hated losing to him so often & had to use diff approach to him compared to Wenger, Benitez — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Fergie knew Mourinho wanted Utd job so strung him along. His final "victory" was stiffing him over 2013 succession: power and control. — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Fergie furious @ loss of influence.Hates Wward&his commercial dept, tells pals Utd is "all about money now" (despite it paying him £2m p/a) — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Gill's role usurped by Wward since '05 so dislike there too. Gill (amazingly) popular with OT staff. Fergie sidelined by Glazers since 2013. — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Co92 represent way for Fergie to re-gain lost influence, hence pushing Giggs as manager. Fergie eyes "back seat driver" role, wants LVG out. — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Wward OK'd 'Fergie tip' Moyes in 2013 so must stick with LVG to avoid 2 failures on record.Needs LVG to see out season for "honourable" exit — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Woodward wants Co92 'legend' for marketing purposes but hates competition from Co92 'brand': MUFC employees banned from Co92 hotel last year — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Woodward appoints Giggs, gives Ferg back influence; appoints Jose, Ferg shunted but Giggs might quit. Plus sacking LVG looks bad = STALEMATE — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Wward clueless re f'ball matters & terrified of making wrong call. Has to keep stringing Mourinho along (Dec contact+last week) in meantime. — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Mourinho DESPERATE for Utd for years; now ready to wait but knows Wward is flakey + no guarantees; trying to put pressure on re "other jobs" — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Added factor to LVG being shown as failure is Wward under pressure in Florida: Glazers been talking to potential new CEO who is Fergie ally. — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Other big problem for Woodward is sacking LVG + missing CL is v expensive. As is Mourinho. Giggs represents budget Glazer-tastic replacement — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Other strands: Mourinho agent Mendes is 'friends' with Wward; also long in business with Ferg+Gill & now Co92 through ValenciaFC & Peter Lim — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Rooney also a factor:still biggest draw for sponsors – being onside with him helps get in with Wward, hence Co92 praising his "performances" — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Fergie OK'd Co92 to bash LVG in media until Dec;then gave backing to LVG when Mourinho available. Pro-Giggs media message now more desperate — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016

Entire shambles = Glazers reaping what theyve sown since 2005: theyre reluctant to even invest in youth system as it's "not cost effective" — Red Issue (@RedIssue) February 21, 2016