Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold has ‘got his way’ over the appointment of the club’s next permanent manager, according to reports.
Arnold started in his new role as CEO on Tuesday, with Ed Woodward stepping down from his executive vice-chairman position. Woodward will not officially leave United until April.
United are on the lookout for a new permanent manager to replace the sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ralf Rangnick will remain in interim charge until a new boss is appointed in the summer.
Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are among the candidates linked with the Old Trafford vacancy.
Woodward was previously in charge of appointing and sacking managers at United.
However, that will no longer be the case. Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast, Ian McGarry says Arnold has got his way in having sole responsibility for football decisions such as appointing a new manager.
Woodward will no longer have a “direct influence” despite not leaving the club for another two months.
McGarry said: “Richard Arnold’s brief to find a new coach for next season has also been occasioned by the fact that Ed Woodward, who had been briefing that he would be consulting for the club on their recruitment of a new manager even though he’s leaving his post, has now cleared his desk.
“And Richard Arnold was very keen that he should have sole charge of the administrative aspects of the football department. He seems to have got his way.
“Woodward, apparently, will not be involved but of course given his very long association with the Glazer family, I’m sure he’ll still talk to them.
“But there will be no direct influence with regards to a search for a new head coach.”
United announced Arnold would replace the outgoing Woodward at the beginning of January.
Co-owner Joel Glazer thanked Woodward for his work and outlined his hopes for the future under Arnold.
Glazer said: “I would like to thank Ed for his tireless work on behalf of Manchester United during his nine years as Executive Vice-Chairman and 16 years with the club.
“We are now looking forward to Richard and his leadership team opening a new phase in the club’s evolution, with ambitious plans for investment in Old Trafford, the strengthening of our engagement with fans, and continued drive towards our most important objective – winning on the pitch.”