Richard Arnold’s time as Manchester United CEO officially ends as club file Companies House papers after he decided to quit before Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS complete £1.25bn buy-out

• Arnold had been in post for two years after replacing Ed Woodward at United
• Billionaire Ratcliffe is closing in on his £1.25bn purchase of a 25 per cent stake 
• Man United are stuffed if captain Bruno Fernandes says he thought Bournemouth would be easy – It’s All Kicking Off 

Richard Arnold’s time as Manchester United chief executive is officially over after the club filed papers with Companies House.

Arnold decided last month to step down after less than two years in post as Sir Jim Ratcliffe closes in on his £1.25billion buy-out of 25 per cent of the Old Trafford club from the Glazer family.

Patrick Stewart, the club’s general legal counsel, has taken over as United’s interim chief executive.

Mail Sport’s Manchester United Confidential column reported last week that Ratcliffe did not ask Arnold to leave but the CEO realised the writing was on the wall and wanted to leave on his own terms.

Petrochemicals billionaire Ratcliffe is expected to shake-up the United hierarchy as he takes charge of football operations at the club.

Richard Arnold’s time as Manchester United chief executive has officially drawn to a close

Arnold decided to leave ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.25bn buy-out of 25 per cent of the club 

Documents filed at Companies House confirmed Arnold had left his chief executive post

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire flagged up the ‘termination’ notices United filed

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Football finance expert Kieran Maguire flagged the Companies House ‘Notice of ceasing to be a person with significant control [PSC]’ filing dated December 11.

It said Arnold’s tenure officially ended on December 8.

Arnold has worked in various capacities at United since 2007 and replaced Ed Woodward in the top executive job early last year.

He oversaw the arrival of Erik ten Hag as United manager in the summer of 2022 and the end of a six-year trophy wait when they beat Newcastle to lift the Carabao Cup.

The team finished third in the Premier League to return to Champions League football and also reached the FA Cup final, where they lost to Manchester City.

But their form has gone downhill quickly this season with 11 defeats in 23 matches, leaving them 10 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, out the Carabao Cup and needing a miracle to make the Champions League knockouts.

Ten Hag’s side must beat Bayern Munich in their final group stage game on Tuesday night and hope FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw to sneak into then last-16.

Arnold said when his departure was announced: ‘It has been an incredible privilege to serve this great football club for the past 16 years. Through highs and lows, the constant has been the dedication of our employees and fans.

United’s form has nosedived this season with 11 defeats suffered in their opening 23 matches

Erik ten Hag’s side are on the verge of crashing out of the Champions League after the group

‘I would like to thank all of them for their loyalty and commitment, and wish everyone associated with the club the very best for the future.’

Joel Glazer, United’s executive co-chairman, said: ‘I would like to thank Richard for his outstanding service to Manchester United over the past 16 years, and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.

‘We are fortunate to be able to call on the deep knowledge and experience of Patrick Stewart to provide interim stability and continuity as we embark on a search for a new permanent CEO.’

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