With the departure of Ed Woodward from Manchester United in February, the club's 16-year tenure came to a close. In the wake of the news, some United supporters might have raised their glasses. Woodward's leadership was a colossal disaster, and his resignation couldn't have come at a better time.

Woodward stepped down from his role as executive vice-chairman two months earlier, and in his place, Richard Arnold was promoted from group managing director. In the past, United have had a tradition of promoting from inside their own ranks. As United's chief executive, Arnold assumed the post previously held by David Gill, and he therefore became the club's most powerful figure, aside from the Glazers, after being appointed to the position.

A new king will be chosen by Arnold. He has the power, and he's now in charge of United's future course. The club is in a state of flux, and whatever decisions are taken in the next few weeks might have repercussions that last for a decade or more.

There can be no more mistakes. Arnold must distinguish himself from Woodward, who racked up a long list of transgressions during his tenure at United. Arnold and Woodward are said to be good friends. Arnold and Woodward both went to Bristol University and both have a background in finance, so they are likely to be close. Arnold is already losing that particular PR war.

United, like every football club, care significantly about their image and Arnold's comments on the recent club investors' call were proof of that. Arnold talked about how he wanted to make Manchester United the best in the world.

His remarks were amusing despite the fact that they were obviously not surprising. As Arnold put it, "everyone affiliated with Manchester United should have belief in the potential that lie ahead of us, both on the pitch as well as in the way we engage and serve our supporters".
'We have a clear goal in mind, and we're working to achieve it with the help of a motivated management team.

Manchester United says that they want to build a culture of excellence through a world-class football environment, while putting fans at the heart of the club and using the power of the club to make a positive impact on people, the environment, and the world.

There is nothing funny about the words "clear vision" and "world-class football environment" being used in the same sentence as Manchester United right now, but it is. United may be relegated to the dreary UEFA Europa Conference division next season, if that happens.

Even if the shareholders had bought into those words, United supporters would have seen right through them. To be honest, Arnold didn't want to make promises he didn't really want to keep. He was just saying what the club's investors wanted to hear.

Arnold has the chance to show that the club will be different under his leadership, but nothing will change at United almost certainly. They will keep repeating the same mistakes if the same inept people continue to have such influence at the very top.

Utrecht's next manager will be Erik ten Hag, according to a source. That will give the fans some much-needed hope, and United will get better in the summer. But the same problems will still be there. Fan group 1958 United said this week that nothing will change until the snake's head is cut off. With the Glazers and their Bristol grads at the club, mediocrity is a disease that will always be there and grow.

It was Arnold's promise to make the club a place where "world-class football" could be played, and he has the power to make that happen. Whether he's qualified to be in that position is another question. United fans will be hoping these weren't false promises.

United has done nothing in the last 10 years to convince fans that they aren't a good team.