United Name Berrada As New CEO
Manchester United have announced the appointment of Omar Berrada, formerly of Manchester City, as their new chief executive. The news, which caught many by surprise, emerged over the weekend, marking the first major hire under the INEOS regime. Berrada joins United after a successful stint as the chief football operations officer at City Football Group (CFG), the entity that owns Manchester City and a dozen other clubs worldwide. The club confirmed his appointment on Saturday via their official website, ManUtd.com. Having initially joined City in 2011 as head of international business development, Berrada quickly rose through the ranks. He served as director of partnership sales and later became senior vice president group commercial director. In 2016, he was promoted to the role of chief operating officer at Manchester City.
In addition to his time at City, Berrada also spent several years at Barcelona during one of the club’s most successful periods. Although of French-Moroccan descent, he has extensive experience in the footballing world, making his move to United particularly noteworthy. Berrada replaces Richard Arnold, who succeeded Ed Woodward in 2022. Woodward’s tenure was met with significant criticism from fans, largely due to his involvement in footballing decisions despite lacking a sporting background. Berrada’s appointment suggests a positive shift for the club, potentially signalling a more strategic approach moving forward. Arnold stepped down from his position in November, and Patrick Stewart had been acting as interim CEO in the meantime. Reports indicate that Berrada was identified and pursued by INEOS, but his selection also received backing from the Glazer family, signifying a collaborative decision between all stakeholders.
Toney on United’s Radar
Manchester United are reportedly one of several Premier League clubs monitoring Brentford’s Ivan Toney, according to a report from *Fichajes*. The 27-year-old striker made his much-anticipated return to action on Saturday evening, following an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting regulations. He made an immediate impact, providing an assist in Brentford’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. Toney has made no secret of his desire to move to a bigger club, frequently expressing his ambitions in public. In a recent interview with *Sky Sports*, before his return to competitive football, he stated: “You can never predict when the right time is to move, but it’s clear I want to play for a top club.”
While a January transfer would be unlikely for United, given their current focus on loan deals during this winter window due to the pending ratification of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% stake, the summer could tell a different story. Under the guidance of INEOS, Toney could represent a marquee signing for the new ownership structure. Since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021, Toney has been a standout performer. He has scored 33 goals and provided nine assists in 67 appearances under manager Thomas Frank. Known for his clinical finishing, aerial prowess, strength, and ability to link up play, Toney would undoubtedly bolster United’s frontline – especially given their current struggles in front of goal, with only 24 goals scored in the Premier League this season, the lowest of any team in the top 14.
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