Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick highlights Russian involvement in Arsenal and Everton

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has highlighted ‘Russian involvement’ at Premier League clubs amid the UK government sanctioning Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea’s future is uncertain after they were handed a range of restrictions including being barred from signing players and selling matchday tickets and merchandise under the punishment for Abramovich which was announced on Thursday.

The billionaire businessman was blocked from making his proposed sale of the club because of his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Man United’s Ralf Rangnick (R) was asked about Chelsea and their owner, Roman Abramovich

Chelsea are in turmoil after the UK government applied sanctions to Abramovich on Thursday

Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s visit to Old Trafford on Saturday in the Premier League, Rangnick said people were unanimous in condemning the conflict.

He added: ‘Fingers crossed they can find a peaceful solution once again.

‘I don’t have enough inside information to discuss what is happening at Chelsea. It is a human tragedy and I hope in the next days, weeks there is a peaceful situation.

“Anyone in this room, or wherever, could not have foreseen what happened in the last weeks. We need to be very careful about blaming someone.

Alisher Usmanov (right, with Russian president Vladimir Putin) sold his stake in Arsenal in 2018

“Roman Abramovich is the owner, but Arsenal and Everton have had Russian involvement, so they are not the only club.

‘Not only at Chelsea, [but] also at Arsenal and Everton – there were ownership shares by Russian oligarchs. This [Chelsea] was not the only club.’ 

Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who owned more than 30 percent of Arsenal before he sold his stake to current owner Stan Kroene in 2018, was sanctioned on March 3 – a week after the invasion began.

Usmanov built commercial links with Everton through his USM business, although those were suspended before the magnate was sanctioned.

Among the other conditions of the sanctions, Chelsea cannot give players new contracts and must spend relatively modest amounts on team away travel.

The third-placed Blues host Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday.