To get United back on track, Ineos had to make some significant moves, and their first significant addition has been confirmed.

United has announced that Omar Berrada, the Chief Football Operations Officer of Manchester City, will take over as the team’s new CEO.

Berrada was the favored appointment, according to Ineos, and he has now agreed to move across Manchester.

Berrada is a key part of the City operation so this feels like a massive deal for United; let’s dig into his career to date…

Who is Manchester United’s next CEO Omar Berrada?

Berrada was born in Paris to Moroccan parents and his big break in football came back in 2004 as he became Head of Sponsorship at Barcelona.

A vital part of Barca’s off-field operations, Berrada spent nearly eight years in that role before leaving Barcelona and eventually following former Barcelona colleague Txiki Begiristain to City.

Berrada has held various roles at City, initially working as ‘Director of Partnership Sales’ and then becoming a Commercial Director at the Etihad Stadium.

Berrada stepped up to the Chief Operating Officer position in 2016 and has been a mainstay throughout the Pep Guardiola era at City.

TalkSPORT claim that Berrada, 46, played a crucial role in bringing Erling Haaland to City, a deal which helped City win the treble last season.

Berrada has played a key role in terms of forming City’s strategy alongside Begiristain, as seen in this v8ideo, and now brings his expertise to Old Trafford.

Omar Berrada deal will excite United supporters

This feels like a major signal of intent from Ineos and an important capture just weeks into this new era at Old Trafford.

United need to start adding top-level operators who have experience of working at the truly elite clubs.

Berrada’s football experience comes with Barcelona and City, two absolute juggernauts during Berrada’s involvement.

That isn’t to say that Berrada was the key man behind the success, but he knows what it takes to build a top team and, crucially, stay at the top.

Berrada’s roles at Barca and City have been vital but he will now have more power than ever at Old Trafford and he must use what he has learned elsewhere to take United forward – rivalling City in the process.