Manchester United CEO Proves Why Thomas Tuchel Needs Chelsea Backing In The Transfer Market

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold's latest comment on backing new manager Erik ten Hag has proven why Chelsea have made the right call to back Thomas Tuchel in the summer transfer market.

The Red Devils replaced Ralf Rangnick with the former Ajax boss ahead of the 2022/23 campaign and have already got to work identifying transfer targets.

They have come under heavy criticism in recent seasons for their transfer strategy and are looking to change it under Ten Hag.

Big names have been eyed including Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, and Christian Eriksen is also wanted by the Old Trafford.

During a meeting with a selection of fans at a local pub, Arnold was asked whether matching Barcelona's De Jong's transfer valuation would be an issue.

He said: “Money is not a consideration in who we want. It’s that the manager wants him, that they’ve actually done the work on looking if he’s a great player. Do you want me buying the players? Doesn’t that ring a bell?”

Arnold's response, who also confirmed United are in Barcelona holding talks over the Dutchman, has proven why Chelsea's new owners - the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - have made the correct decision in promising Tuchel he will have control over signings and outgoings in the transfer window.

Boehly's strategy won't be to go all guns blazing, splashing the cash, he will be smart. The American billionaire has already made that abundantly clear with his words in Berlin last week regarding Financial Fair Play.

"Financial Fair Play is starting to get some teeth and that will limit ability to acquire players at any price. UEFA takes it seriously and will continue to take it seriously," said the co-controlling Blues owner.

"(More teeth) means financial penalties and disqualification from sporting competitions."

Boehly's backing of Tuchel has already been seen with the handling of Romelu Lukaku's future in west London.

Despite the American's reluctance, not being 'fully convinced', the new owners are doing everything they can to find an agreement as quickly as possible with Inter Milan to seal a return for the 29-year-old to the San Siro.

Tuchel is being given £200 million in the transfer window this summer in a bid to complete the rebuild to find replacements for the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing.

Jules Kounde is the priority target in defence, while Manchester City's Raheem Sterling is heavily linked with a Blues and a move could be made once Lukaku's move back to Italy is confirmed.

The Chelsea head coach knows he needs to make his squad bigger to be able to compete with the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Man United and Tottenham next season.

He said: "It will be a super tough race. Manchester United will be in the race and Tottenham will be in the race with Antonio Conte for sure. 

"We want to stay in the race and Liverpool and Man City do everything to make their squads bigger and they set the standard so high. This is the challenge in which we compete."

Erik ten Hag is getting backed and United's reasons have proven exactly why Boehly and co have passed one major test in supporting the club's manager at the first time of asking.

Now it's time to back the talk with action in the transfer window.