Who is Patrick Stewart? Manchester United chief to replace Richard Arnold as CEO

Patrick Stewart has been named as Manchester United's new chief executive on an interim basis as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment becomes closer to confirmation. His appointment marks Richard Arnold’s exit after just two years in the role.

How long will he stay there? For now, nobody knows, as an announcement is yet to be made on Ratcliffe’s proposed 25 per cent buyout.

The Manchester Evening News understands the deal should be ratified during this international break as part of a major shake-up at Old Trafford. United have announced that Arnold will remain at the club in a transitional role until the end of December.

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The coming days and weeks are set to confirm the biggest restructuring at United since the Glazers took charge in 2005. But what is known about Stewart, the man expected to lead the club in the imminent future?

MEN Sport has profiled everything you need to know about the man ahead of the biggest test to date.

Stewart grew up in Aberdeen, becoming the latest in a long line of Scots to hold a position of prominence at Old Trafford. He completed his LLB at Glasgow University before working as a solicitor in the late 1990s.

The new century resulted in him moving into football as part of UEFA's marketing agency for the Champions League - a role he held until landing the United gig. Negotiating media and sponsorship deals at UEFA provided Stewart a background in being able to cut his teeth at one of the biggest clubs in world football.

As well as his work with UEFA, he has also held a position at the Court of Arbitration for Sport since 2019. He is one of 14 arbitrators who deal