Kids need character to make it at Old Trafford
UNITED value the character and personality of players just as much as their ability.
That is according to the club’s managing director, Richard Arnold, who has opened up on how United select and develop academy players.
The likes of Brandon Williams and Scott McTominay are recent examples of players whose work ethic and attitude has impressed United coaching staff and led to first team call-ups from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. And Arnold, a close confidant of United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, told the Shiv Nadar Foundation how United go about developing the right kind of characters.
He said: “One of the fascinating parts about working with big names such as Sir Alex Ferguson and great former and present players is that people with great success in life tend to not have huge egos.
“They have big characters and huge personalities but one on one they are wonderful people. United chooses and develops such players.
“The academy focuses on how great characters makes great players. Whether they are the most revered player of all time or a lady who makes tea, they are all people just the same. I think that is one of the most important cultures at Manchester United.”
Arnold added that ‘respect’ is a key word at Old Trafford, something that has also been championed by Solskjaer.
He added: “The respect shown to those performing well and to those who are less recognised externally is the same. That is the message I want to give people.”