Richard Arnold has defended the way in which Manchester United has been run in recent years after meeting with fans who were set to protest the Glazers’ ownership.
The 1958 supporters group had planned to unfurl banners outside the United CEO’s home on Saturday demanding that he and the Glazers leave the club. The group though were surprised when Arnold met them at a pub close to his Cheshire property.
Arnold had been tipped off to the protest, and discussed a number of issues with the fans, including the pursuit of Frenkie de Jong and new manager Erik ten Hag’s other transfer targets. Of course, the hottest topic up for discussion was the club’s American owners.
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The Glazers’ time in charge of United has been widely criticised by supporters throughout their tenure, with the family overseeing decline over the years following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement as manager. Arnold though defended the spending that has occurred over the years, and insisted he will need more money in order to turn things around at Old Trafford.
“We spent a billion pounds on players. We have spent more than anyone in Europe,” Arnold told supporters.
“I’m not thrilled where we are. It doesn’t sit easy with me and I worry how we get this sorted for the future. What’s happened is we have f***ing burned through cash.
“You can’t go to our training ground and say ‘show me where the £1billion is’ because we haven’t spent money well historically. I’m not here to defend (chairman) Joel (Glazer). He must speak for himself.
“But you have taken the time to come here and make your views known - and I respect that. We’ve blown through an enormous amount of money.
“For this summer, the money manager and director of football (John Murtough) wants is there. For the future, for investing in a new stadium and a latest-and-greatest training ground we’ve got to do something. We’ve got to get investors in.
“I need that to do what I want for the club. I’ve got to have more cash now because no club in the world has the money to build a new stadium. You either borrow it or invest it. The money has got to come from somewhere.
“You might not like our current owners - I can’t help that. But if you want someone else to come in they will see that the fans love the team and that is positive. But last year was a f***ing nightmare. There was hate at every game.”
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