Man Utd spent months rating 804 right-backs – Arnold’s successor has work to do
Richard Arnold was the man who appeared detached from his responsibilities.
Like this week, when the former Manchester United CEO stopped in the entrance of Manchester Cathedral to pose for a selfie with a member of the public. This happened just moments after the funeral of arguably the club's greatest ever player, Sir Bobby Charlton.
A figure so revered, the occasion on Monday brought Manchester to a standstill. But nothing was going to stop Arnold from pleasing one punter, however inappropriate he failed to realise it would look.
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He did something similar a few weeks ago when hosting one of United's most crucial staff meetings in recent times. The impact he made wasn't from what he said, more what he had hanging on the walls behind him. Framed rugby shirts.
The chief executive of one of the world's greatest sporting institutions couldn't foresee the message that picture would send to some. He also oversaw the shambolic handling of the Mason Greenwood saga.
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But incoming owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to have got the message, even though he wasn't in that meeting. Because Arnold is now heading into the sunset with a huge compensation cheque in his back pocket – and perhaps some regrets he wasn't better at reading a room. Who replaces him will be down to Ratcliffe.
Jean-Claude Blanc, the former marketing executive of Paris Saint Germain, is in the frame. Other names have been mentioned. But whoever succeeds Arnold has one heck of a challenge on his hands in United's quest to regain both respect and their place at the top table of football. In the past, United have made the mistake of promoting people to the top jobs from within.
Unlike rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool, United show astonishing arrogance by ignoring more qualified and suitable candidates from elsewhere, to look after their own instead. It has cost them – and shouldn't happen this time round. Because the 'to-do' list is long indeed.
The new CEO could start by fixing the leaky roof inside Old Trafford. Or go mad and find the funds to modernise the stadium completely. Take a look at Tottenham's ground and you'll see what I mean.
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Recruitment needs to be overhauled. United once spent months evaluating 804 right-backs across Europe, before deciding to spend £50m on Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Go figure.
United wanted to sign Declan Rice and Harry Kane this summer. The calibre of player United need to return to the top, but both of them went elsewhere.
Someone United did manage to sign was Jadon Sancho, in 2021, but he can't get a training session with the first team these days, let alone a game, because his bust-up with Erik ten Hag has gone nuclear.
Problems continue to ooze from every corner of Old Trafford. So all supporters can do is wish the very best of luck to whoever is charged with solving them all.
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