Arnold must make right choice to take United out of post-Ferguson era | Jamie Jackson

Manchester United’s next CEO has to avoid the head-hunting mistakes which scuppered Ed Woodward’s Old Trafford tenure

If Richard Arnold studies the history of Ed Woodward, his soon-to-be predecessor as Manchester United’s most powerful executive, he will comprehend how the close season may be the sole chance to make his tenure a success.

Nine summers ago Woodward appointed David Moyes as United manager after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and never truly recovered. The Scot lasted 34 Premier League games of a six-year contract before being sacked and Woodward’s failed search for the right No 1 extended across the next seven years as Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær came and went without delivering a 21st title, before an interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, was brought in to allow the club to regroup.

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