The Sun Exclusive: Manchester United poach Arsenal PR boss to join their team in 26 years

Hupu, November 22, The Sun’s Manchester United chief reporter Samuel Luckhurst wrote an exclusive weekly report.

Manchester United signed defender Eden Haven from Arsenal at the beginning of the year, and the Gunners will also have another new player join them.

Robert Forton, head of public relations and corporate communications, will join Manchester United's public relations team in the new year.

Forton has worked at Arsenal for six and a half years and his addition will strengthen Manchester United's currently understaffed press office.

The addition of another PR person is expected to fill the void created by the departure of highly respected press officer Andrew Ward.

Ward joined Manchester United six years ago and was initially responsible for corporate communications, but after Charlie Brooks left in 2022, he was promoted to chief communications director.

Senior press officer Karen Shortbolt also left United shortly after Brooks' departure, while Toby Craig was appointed as United's new communications director last summer, having previously worked with chief executive Omar Berada at Manchester City.

The well-respected George McCaffrey took over as director of football communications this summer and now he attended the press conference with Ruben Amorim.

McCaffrey joined Manchester United seven years ago and is the only member of the press office who remains today.