Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold has set about making changes at Old Trafford - one of which was to make it known that he does not want the club signing "d***heads".
The Old Trafford chief has a very hands-off approach to transfers, instead leaving the club's recruitment to John Murtough and Erik ten Hag. His only instruction to them was not to sign problem players having seen United fall foul of adding individuals who caused trouble, unrest or haggled for moves away.
Arnold succeeded Ed Woodward, a hugely divisive character, and the association between the two men led to preconceived ideas about the current man at the top. He's been able to dispel a host of those however and has earned praise for his approach, according to the Telegraph.
Head of recruitment operations Steve Brown, transfer consultant Tom Keane and the likes of Murtough were together discussing their strategy earlier this season with Arnold also present, but by no means did he assert any unnecessary power. A source said: "Richard never inputted on football decisions like that but wanted to make sure he understood why they were being made."
Arnold is the man who goes between the club's major figures and the Glazers, which is why he wanted to witness the process behind signing Casemiro, given he would be the man tasked with asking for the extra cash. United also added the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Antony, spending big in the summer.
But Ten Hag was allowed to spend more with the proviso of knowing there would be limited funds in January. Ten Hag was keen to compete for Cody Gakpo before he went to Liverpool, but it was Arnold who had to remind him of the luxuries he was afforded months earlier. “He’s pretty good at managing those tensions,” another source claimed.
Arnold is clearly a different operator to Woodward, whose lack of presence was cited as an issue. Instead he is visible at Old Trafford and lives in Cheshire with his efforts to connect with the staff not going unnoticed. “The biggest single change is Manchester United is now run on an axis between Old Trafford and Carrington where previously it was a triangle with the most powerful element in Mayfair,” said an insider.
Arnold is adamant that nothing has yet been achieved despite the forward strides being made in Manchester. He wants to get the club back challenging for silverware and consistently qualifying for the Champions League - both of which can be done this season.
The CEO has also made an effort to open the lines of communication with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill - two pillars of the club's previous success who've been sorely missed since their exits.
