These Ed Woodward Man Utd transfer comments already shown up by Richard Arnold swipe

Manchester United are 13 days into the summer transfer window and are yet to sign any new players.

The Red Devils have a new manager at the helm in Erik ten Hag, but also a different Chief Executive from last summer, with Richard Arnold replacing Ed Woodward in the role earlier this year.

As expected, United have been linked with several names during the transfer window, including Frenkie de Jong, Antony and Christian Eriksen, to name a few.

However, the club are yet to announce any new players this summer, with only a weekend left in June. If the club fail to sign anyone in this period then it will be the first time they have done so since 2010.

ManchesterWorld have taken a look at whether the Red Devils have changed their approach to player signings, especially after Arnold’s recent comments to fans, or if they’re still stuck with Woodward’s ineffectve philosophy.

Who was in charge of transfers during Woodward’s tenure?

During Woodward’s tenure as CEO at Old Trafford he and Matt Judge, who recently resigned as Director of Football at United, were in charge of transfers at the club.

Who is in charge of transfers now?

Since Woodward and Judge’s departure, football director John Murtough is at the helm on transfers at the Red Devils, with Andy O’Boyle assisting him, while Ten Hag also has a major input on the transfer process too.

The latter started his role with United earlier than planned in order to help with player recruitment, scrapping a trip to the Caribbean after finishing the last season with Ajax.

What Woodward has on United past transfer windows

Last season saw the Red Devils splash over £100m on Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Tom Heaton and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo - deals claimed to demonstrate United’s ‘ability to attract some of the world’s best footballers’ by Woodward.

Speaking in the club’s fourth quarter financial report, he said: "We significantly strengthened the squad over the summer, with the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Tom Heaton.

"These signings have demonstrated our continued ability to attract some of the world’s best footballers to Old Trafford, and our firm commitment to helping Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] deliver success on the pitch. Furthermore, we recently sold Dan James to Leeds for a fee of £25 million, plus add-ons.

"We have been clear in our strategy to build a squad with a blend of top-class recruits and homegrown talent, comprising a balance of youth and experience, with the aim of winning trophies and playing attacking football the Manchester United way.

"As part of this, we have continued to strengthen our recruitment and scouting processes, and we have also increased our investment in the academy, to ensure that this success is sustainable.

"While squad-building is a constant process, we are more confident than ever that we are on the right track."

What Arnold has said to about potential deals this summer

Arnold recently met with Red Devils fans in a pub to discuss multiple ongoings at the club, including potential player signings and implied Frenkie de Jong is one of their targets.

“For this summer, the money the manager [Erik ten Hag] and director of football [John Murtough] wants is there - and this is the bit where, what’s my job as CEO? I make sure John does his job on football. Get some f***ing players in. Money’s there, ok? Get on with it, John,” Arnold said on the video, shared on social media.

"Money is not a consideration on who we want. The manager wants him [De Jong] and they have actually done the work. He’s a great player.

"Is it 100 or 200 [million]? I don’t know. Get who you f***ing want. Do you want me buying the players? Does that not ring a bell?"

Those comments certainly can be interpreted as Arnold aiming a subtle dig at Woodward’s work at the club.

Verdict

It’s too early to tell whether the club’s transfer strategy has changed with United yet to sign anyone this summer.

However, when looking at Woodward’s comments, the club invested in players last summer, there has been no proof of the Red Devils developing as a team under his reign as CEO and transfer negotiator - as stated by him.

United finished the last campaign sixth in the Premier League with 58 points - their lowest tally in the competition’s history.

Nevertheless, the club is currently in a transition period with numerous backroom staff changing and Ten Hag’s arrival. This could lead to the Red Devils needing more time to challenge for silverware next season.

Also, Arnold’s comments can be seen as a breath of fresh air for many fans and will potentially lead to the expected squad overhaul at Old Trafford - the first step towards the club’s target of bringing success back to the Theatre of Dreams.