Ratcliffe lands first Man Utd coup with surprise Man City raid - David Ornstein

Tom Weber

• Updated: 20 Jan 2024 19:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester City's Omar Berrada is set to become Manchester United's new CEO, according to David Ornstein.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Red Devils overhaul is entering its next phase with the appointment of another key man after Sir Dave Brailsford was given the role of Chief Sporting Adviser to the INEOS chief, which has since led to him leaving his previous job with the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team.

Ratcliffe is overhauling the Man Utd hierarchy after acquiring a 25 per cent minority stake in the club and full control over sporting operations. CEO Richard Arnold already departed the club several weeks ago and now his replacement has finally been found.

In recent days, news began filtering through that the previous favourite for the job, Jean-Claude Blanc, was to remain as INEOS' CEO of Sport and that a new man had been identified for the Man Utd position. That man is now on the verge of being announced.

Man Utd hire Berrada

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the man in question is Man City's chief football operations officer Omar Berrada, who has already resigned from his role with City Football Group.

"Manchester City Football Club can confirm that Omar Berrada has resigned from his role as chief football operations officer at City Football Group. The club understands his decision to look for a new challenge and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes," a statement read.

This hire is seen as something of a coup for Man Utd as Berrada has been a key figure behind Man City's dominance in recent years, which of course culminated in them winning a historic treble last term.

It is asserted that Berrada also had offers from a different Premier League club as well as from MLS and "a major NFL franchise." At United, Berrada will become an influential personality in both the football and business side of the club.