Arnold has lunch with former Man Utd chief Gill amid "gormless" criticism

Manchester United chief Richard Arnold has enjoyed lunch with former Old Trafford stalwart David Gill just days after opening up to fans.

The club's new CEO has been in the role for less than a year and is tasked with playing his part in a rebuild following the appointment of Erik ten Hag. United's poor season means they will play in the Europa League with their squad in need of major investment.

That is despite the Red Devils spending huge sums, something Arnold himself admitted, but his interaction with fans has copped major criticism. None of his predecessors - one of whom was Gill - engaged in such activity and Arnold was likely picking the brains of the man who worked impressively alongside Sir Alex Ferguson.

Stan Collymore is among those to question Arnold's decision, saying in his column : "I mean, come on, can you imagine Martin Edwards, David Gill or Peter Kenyon popping down to the Dog & Duck in Wilmslow to open up to supporters? Of course you can't."

He also added: "It makes the club worse, not better, and it doesn't make Arnold look like a good leader. If I was a player considering going to United this summer."

Meanwhile Simon Jordan slammed the Old Trafford bigwig for his naivety, saying on TalkSport : "Richard Arnold sat in that meeting, if you are that stupid, that gormless, that naivie, that wet behind the ears that you're going to sit in that meeting and think that what you're saying isn't going to find its way into the public domain, either verbally or someone recording it - then what's the matter with you?"

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United's summer has been far from ideal with the club yet to make any signings despite pre-season looming. Ten Hag has seen a host of players leave on frees, one being Paul Pogba, but has been unable to bring in any replacements despite having a list of targets.

Frenkie De Jong is among his ideal signings but the club have been unable to strike a deal with Barcelona. Arnold appeared to suggest that he would not get involved with player transfers and eluded to the lengths they would go to to sign the Dutchman.

He said: "Money is not a consideration on who we want. The manager wants him (De Jong) and they have actually done the work on looking at him... he's a great player. Is it £100m or £200m? I don't know. Get who you f***ing want." He also added: "Do you want me buying the players? Does that not ring a bell?"