Ed Woodward has decided to skip the first part of Manchester United’s pre-season tour as he tries to conclude a world-record transfer for Paul Pogba, the Juventus star.

Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, was due to fly to China this afternoon with José Mourinho, the manager, and his 25-man squad for their week-long tour, which will take in Shanghai and Beijing.

But he has now decided to pull out of the trip in order to try to put the final touches to a deal for Pogba that would exceed the £85.3 million fee Real Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale three years ago.

Woodward left United’s tour in 2013 in an attempt to seal a deal for Cesc Fàbregas, but he opted instead to join