Richard Arnold has delivered on his Manchester United promise with Antony transfer

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold met with fans at a pub in June after hearing they were planning a protest outside of his house.

The Old Trafford chief spoke candidly to the supporters present, reassuring them of the club’s transfer policies. At the time, Frenkie de Jong was the club's priority target.

Long before rumblings about his disinterest in a move and his payment dispute with Barcelona emerged, United fans were hopeful that a deal could be completed. More than two months later, the club finished the transfer window with six signings.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag breaks silence on Antony transfer

Importantly, United have brought in a defensive midfielder — not De Jong but Casemiro — with some fans more pleased with this. At the time of Arnold’s comments, no players had been signed, which had caused disgruntlement among the fanbase.

Many were questioning whether United had enough money for Ten Hag to get all the targets he wanted for the rebuild. But the new boss has been able to spend around £195million, £85million of which was on Antony.

A number have raised eyebrows at the figure. But Arnold’s explanation to supporters in that pub in June show why nobody should be surprised.

"Money is not a consideration on who we want," he said, when asked about De Jong. "The manager wants him and they have actually done the work. Is it £100m or £200m? I don't know. Get who you f***ing want."

Time will tell whether this was a wise transfer ploy but it goes some way to explaining why Antony will be United’s second most expensive player in the club’s history, behind Paul Pogba.

Rio Ferdinand shared his concern that the price tag could “weigh heavy” on the Brazilian. The former United defender said: “The pressure and the attention