United are making two new changes in management

Manchester United confirms this in a press release on Tuesday evening.

Stewart was previously head of United’s legal department before taking over as interim chief executive when Richard Arnold resigned before Christmas.

Cliff Baty was United’s finance director and has been described several times as the most important person in Manchester United that most people have not heard of.

Both Stewart and Baty currently sit on United’s PLC board, but it is expected that the two will soon be replaced.

Jean-Claude Blanc will take over as interim boss at United until Omar Berrada is in place on 13 July. Baty, for his part, will be replaced by Roger Bell.

Highly respected

Patrick Stewart has worked at United since 2006 and quickly became a recognized and respected figure at the club. Stewart rose through the ranks and eventually became head of the club’s legal department.

Stewart took over the job of CEO (Chief Executive Officer) on an interim basis when Richard Arnold stepped down.

Cliff Baty’s time at the club is the story of the Newcastle supporter turned Manchester United fan.

In 2016, a few months before Manchester United presented José Mourinho as the club’s new manager, and somewhat later made Paul Pogba the world’s most expensive footballer, the United management got another transfer they had wanted in place.

However, when Cliff Baty walked through the doors at Old Trafford for his first day on the job as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in March 2016, it was news that flew under the radar of most of the media, with the exception of the occasional financial website.

In an increasingly complex financial world, with challenges both on and off the pitch for Manchester United, Baty’s voice may not always have been the loudest or the one you hear most often.

But it still has among the most important.

Sources united.no has spoken to have previously described Baty as a key person in United’s management, and Baty’s assessments are given great weight before important financial decisions are made.

Baty was often present when the United management presented the club’s accounts and addressed investors and partners in telephone conferences.

While Richard Arnold and Ed Woodward often talked about the big picture, it was often Baty who got the floor when it came to how Brexit, Covid, exchange rates or new tax rules would affect United’s finances.

With Baty and Stewart’s departure, two more people from United’s management are on their way out. It has already been known that Richard Arnold will resign late this autumn, and a few weeks ago it was confirmed that director of football John Murtough is also leaving United.

Thanks to Ratcliffe and Glazer

Both Joel Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe thank the two outgoing board members and the United top brass.

– I want to thank Patrick and Cliff for the work they have done for Manchester United and wish them all the best for the future. Both have been extremely important to the club with invaluable advice and expertise over a number of years and Patrick has also had the important role of interim CEO during a transition phase, says Joel Glazer.

– I would personally like to thank both Patrick and Cliff for the support and help we have received in getting to know the club and they have welcomed us with open arms. I respect their decision to seek other challenges now that we are establishing new management at the club, says Sir Jim Ratcliffe.