Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold admitted the club had “burnt through cash” after being filmed secretly while meeting with supporters of the struggling English giants.
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But he promised new manager Erik Ten Hag, who will replace interim boss Ralf Ragnick, would have money to spend in a video clip posted on social media.

Fans had been planning a protest outside Arnold’s home amid ongoing unrest about the ownership of United by the US-based Glazer family.

Arnold, who heard about the protest plan, then met with the supporters at a nearby pub instead.

The chief executive, who replaced Ed Woodward earlier this year, bought drinks for the group and discussed a range of topics, including the owners, financial issues, and United’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong.
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This meeting followed United’s worst Premier League season in terms of points, the club finishing sixth with a tally of 58 following only 16 wins from their 38 games. They also failed to lift a trophy in a campaign where Ragnick took over from the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former United striker, in November.

Arnold, seemingly unaware he was being filmed, said of United’s financial position: “We spent a billion pounds on players, we spent more than anyone in Europe. I’m not thrilled where we are.

“What’s happened is we’ve burnt through cash. I don’t think we’ve done well with the money we’ve spent historically.

“For this summer, the money that the manager and the director of football want is there.”
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He added: “For the future, for investing in a new stadium and that sort of stuff, to do a latest and greatest £250 million ($306 million, 292 million euros) 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 than we have now because no club in the world has the money to do a new stadium without getting it from somewhere, no one generates that – you either borrow it or someone invests it.”

A spokesperson for Manchester United said: “Richard heard that a group of fans had gathered in a pub near his house.

“He went to meet them, bought them all a drink, listened to their views, and explained what the club is doing to deliver success on the pitch, improve the stadium, and strengthen engagement with fans.”
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