11 May 2023 , 08:51
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Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold has shown a shift in approach since taking over at the club, with his comments hinting at a growing separation between his own role and those of the individuals involved in the football side of things.
Arnold succeeded Ed Woodward, who had spent more than a decade with the club before stepping down in February 2022. Soon after taking charge, he pledged to "strengthen the role of the fans at the heart of the club," with the comment coming after some had voiced their criticism of Woodward.
He is not the only new appointment in recent years, with John Murtough taking over as football director in 2021. And the interactions between the pair have been used as an example of the shift during changing times for United.
The Athletic reports that Arnold has been willing to let heads of departments take care of their specialisms, rather than micro-managing. This means he remains involved in the business decisions associated with his position, while others take care of the sporting side.
It has been claimed that Arnold declined Murtough's invite to congratulate the under-18 squad in the dressing room after the game. “That’s the football area, not mine,” he is reported to have said.
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It has been suggested that Woodward's role in transfers is not something Arnold is looking to replicate. The former executive vice-chairman was involved in recruitment of players both before and after the hiring of a dedicated football director, with The Athletic citing sources who believe one such deal - the return of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021 - is the kind which would not happen under the current set-up.
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In the most recent summer transfer window, the input of manager Erik ten Hag was also noticeable. The Dutchman was reunited with two stars from his Ajax team, Antony and Lisandro Martinez, and has also been linked with a move for Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber in the upcoming window.
Arnold is said to have sat in on meetings in which the merits of other transfer targets, including summer signing Casemiro, were discussed. However, he is said to have told other attendees "I'm not here," with a predominantly watching brief accompanied by occasional questions about why some players were preferred over others.
The chief executive was also involved in the hiring process which brought Ten Hag to Old Trafford, though, even if he didn't insist on the final say. He has also met with prospective buyers as the bidding process for United has gone on, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and representatives for Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani speaking with the 52-year-old.
Current owners the Glazer family put the club up for sale in November, with the process entering a third round of bidding in April. Sheikh Jassim has spoken of a desire to complete a 100 per cent takeover, while Ratcliffe's bid for a majority stake could yet leave the Glazers with a holding of some kind.