It’s often said that football clubs belong to those who support it, but it’s almost never the case in reality. It’s always someone else. In case of Manchester United, it’s the wealthy American family Glazer, against the hard-core fans have been protesting for years. The latest display of discontent didn’t quite go as they expected!A group of Red Devils fans devised a plan to walk up to chief executive Richard Arnold’s luxury home and confront him with angry chants and banners. Along the way, they stopped by for a few drinks in a pub. You can imagine their shock upon seeing Arnold walk into the establishment. United’s executive chose to meet the fans and talk to them rather than hide in his villa and wait for them to leave.Richard Arnold on protests at Old Trafford, Sancho and Rashford after the Euro’s: pic.twitter.com/XmaLWHFHiU— Paul, Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll) June 18, 2022 The United chief executive, who replaced Ed Woodward in the role in February, ordered a beer and started to discuss the club’s pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, Erik ten Hag’s transfer plans and the Glazer ownership.What he didn’t know (or perhaps just acted so) is that there were a few phone cameras recording. Everything would quickly get on the social media channels. In a series of tweets, one of the fans complained that Arnold gave a “scripted speech” and said his “hands are tied because he’s not getting the investment he needs to make Manchester United great again”.16.00: (1.90) Sidama Bunna (3.25) Jimma Aba Jifar (4.00)And Arnold admitted that mistakes were made in the past, especially in the transfer market. He was blunt about the way United’ burned through cash’.”We spent a billion pounds on players, more than anyone in Europe. I’m not thrilled where we are. It doesn’t sit easy with me, and I worry about how we get this sorted for the future. What’s happened is we have f****** burned through cash. You can’t go to our training ground and say ‘show me where the £1 billion is’ because we haven’t spent money well historically. We’ve blown through an enormous amount of money.”United fans are worried that they are falling further behind City and Liverpool, who have already made big signings this summer. Arnold told fans there will be around $250 million available to spend on new players in this transfer window. Sections of United’s fanbase have criticised the board for failing to make the first signing of the Ten Hag era despite the window only opening last Friday. Arnold said that they are working around the clock to complete the transfer of Frenkie De Jong and that Ten Hag will be given the tools to succeed. All that’s needed is time and patience.Fans aked is De Jong done:Richard Arnold: pic.twitter.com/WH5NJQb63B— Paul, Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll) June 18, 2022 It’s easy to question anything Arnold has said. Or even was he sincere about “wanting to be open” in communication with the supporters. But one of the things he said about the past season, we believe entirely.”I look at last year as a fu*king nightmare. it was a nightmare.”
