Sir Alex back at United in all-star brains trust
SIR ALEX FERGUSON is back at Manchester United, joining a think tank of the club’s top brass. The 80-year-old legendary former United manager will form part of a brains trust at the club, headed up by chief executive Richard Arnold. It will also include one of Arnold’s predecessors, David Gill, iconic former club captain Bryan Robson and football director John Murtough.
Sir Alex and Gill had remained on the United board in nonexecutive roles since leaving their previous posts in 2013. The group formed on Tuesday at United’s Carrington training base and are expected to advise Arnold on issues such as Old Trafford’s redevelopment and the club’s relationship with its fans.
SIR ALEX Ferguson is back on board at Manchester United after the club’s chief executive Richard Arnold turned to the legendary Old Trafford boss for advice.
Arnold has set up a think tank involving Ferguson, former chief executive David Gill, iconic United captain Bryan Robson and current football director John Murtough so he can draw on their experience on all aspects of the club.
It will give Ferguson more influence at Old Trafford than at any time since he stepped down as manager nearly a decade ago.
Tuesday’s gathering at Carrington — which coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the training ground for talks — is understood to be the first in a series of regular meetings involving the five men. Although Ferguson and Gill have remained on United’s football board as non- executive directors since leaving their jobs in 2013, it has been seen as a largely symbolic gesture, with former United chief executive Ed Woodward choosing to do things his way.
Sportsmail revealed in November that Ferguson would welcome the opportunity to have more input at United.
Now 80, and having recovered from a life- threatening brain haemorrhage in 2018, the Scot can no longer play an active role at the club. But Arnold, who succeeded Woodward in February, has recognised the importance of tapping into Ferguson’s vast knowledge, having lifted an unprecedented 38 trophies during his 26 and a half years in charge at Old Trafford.
Gill played a key part in that success during his 16-year spell at United but he too has been a peripheral figure at the club in recent years, despite his impressive standing in the game.
Robson is revered as a United legend and also works as an ambassador for the club.
It is understood the three men will advise Arnold on a wide range of issues, including the redevelopment of Old Trafford and Carrington, and the club’s relationship with its fans. It will involve football matters as well, although they will be careful not to tread on Murtough’s toes. Ferguson spoke to Ronaldo when the player and his agent Jorge Mendes held talks with Arnold on Tuesday, but it was understood to be a brief chat.
Club sources insist their encounter was a coincidence because Ferguson’s lunch meeting had been in the diary for some time.
However, it is understood that the venue may have been switched to Carrington so Arnold could meet with Ronaldo and Mendes.
Last night, Ronaldo announced that he will play in United’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday at Old Trafford after only a few days of pre- season training. He wrote in Portuguese on Instagram: ‘On Sunday, the King plays.’