Omar Berrada, former Manchester City COO and current Manchester United CEO, once rebutted comments made by the Liverpool manager in 2019 regarding his team's transfer spending. The incident saw Berrada speak out forcefully, with his remarks making headlines and raising questions about what exactly had transpired. Now, as Manchester City faces financial scrutiny, Berrada has taken an uncharacteristic approach of silence. While Berrada has never been investigated or questioned by regulators, Manchester United fans continue to question the wisdom of Ratcliffe's decision to recruit him.

In the summer of 2019, the rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool was at its peak. Manchester City had achieved a domestic treble, while Liverpool, who had narrowly missed out on the league title the previous season with 97 points, consoled themselves by lifting the Champions League trophy.

Manchester City then spent £62.5 million to sign Rodri, a club record transfer fee at the time. Liverpool, meanwhile, only signed 16-year-old Harvey Elliott. During a pre-season tour in the United States, Klopp was asked about his squad depth and summer transfer activity, including new contracts.

Klopp said: "Everyone has to spend money, and we do too. We invest money in the team, and right now it looks like nothing is happening. But we don't live in a fantasy world where we can get whatever we want and spend endlessly. It seems like only four teams in the world can consistently spend big money globally.

"Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. They can get whatever resources they want, and it's incomparable. That's the current situation. I'm not criticizing. I know people will think I'm full of jealousy. I'm not jealous at all! This season is not the end for Liverpool. We will continue to be active in the next transfer window."

So before the Community Shield match, Klopp was surprised by headlines reading "Stop talking about money."

This uproar, which bewildered everyone at Anfield, was triggered when Omar Berrada, then Manchester City COO, directly addressed the issue.

Berrada said at the time: "We were a bit surprised. I don't understand why they make such comments or why they always focus on other clubs. It's not frustration or anger, but I just find it odd that they keep mentioning our spending. We have no issue with Liverpool's transfer spending."

He added: "In fact, all top clubs invest according to their own plans. We don't scrutinize what others are doing in detail. Liverpool is a great sporting rival."

That last sentence lacked authenticity, like a bouquet of flowers bought from a petrol station convenience store at 10 p.m. on Valentine's Day. Berrada didn't need to share his opinion, but his forceful comments undoubtedly added fuel to the fire.

"We Will Overtake Manchester United"

This week, however, Omar Berrada was quick to stay silent. Clearly, any comment from the current Manchester United CEO about the financial scandal surrounding the club where he spent 13 years would have seismic consequences.

One thing must be made clear at this critical juncture: among all the charges the Premier League has brought against Manchester City, Berrada himself has never faced any charges, and no culpability has been attributed to him throughout the entire legal process.

It should also be clarified that when the charges were announced in February 2023, while the Premier League planned to interview key Manchester City officials, Berrada was not specifically identified as someone needing to be questioned.

However, this does not mean the public will not pay attention to him, particularly Manchester United fans. In January 2024, after Sir Jim Ratcliffe brought him in from Manchester City—described as a "noisy neighbor"—along with Jason Wilcox, another former Manchester City executive, fans have been watching both men closely.

Berrada's football career began at Barcelona in 2004, where he worked with Pep Guardiola, Ferran Soriano, and Txiki Begiristain. In 2011, he joined Manchester City to oversee the club's international business operations from a London office.

During that period, Manchester City grew at a remarkable pace. Long-serving staff found it hard to believe that an office in the capital was necessary alongside Manchester headquarters, and this momentum seemed unstoppable.

In autumn 2008, shortly after Sheikh Mansour took over the club and the Abu Dhabi era began, then-CEO Garry Cook gathered all staff members in the Commonwealth Hall at the City of Manchester Stadium for an employee meeting.

Cook made it clear to everyone present: "We will overtake Manchester United." Many in the audience exchanged glances, wondering how this could possibly be achieved.

Cook then presented various charts detailing a roadmap to surpass Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

"I Cannot Comment on Issues From My Previous Role"

Berrada was born in Paris to Moroccan parents. At the time, the club began an unprecedented hiring spree, with new appointment announcements pouring in daily, and he was one of those new recruits. He rose incredibly quickly through the ranks, and by 2016, he became Soriano's deputy, overseeing Manchester City's day-to-day operations.

Berrada continued to be promoted thereafter. Therefore, Ratcliffe believed convincing this 48-year-old executive to move five miles away to revive Manchester United was an important recruitment coup. However, the results he has delivered so far have been underwhelming.

This storm at Manchester City was destined to arrive sooner or later. Even if Berrada has never been investigated or questioned by regulators, was Ratcliffe's decision to recruit him wise in the first place?

This is a question worth debating, and Manchester United fans have repeatedly raised it over the past turbulent week.

At a media briefing in September 2024, a journalist asked Berrada whether he would be implicated in the charges against Manchester City.

He responded: "I cannot comment on issues from my previous role. My entire focus is now on Manchester United. We believe we have a solid foundation to continue growing without losses and to compete for trophies."

According to sources, the journalist then asked again whether he was concerned about the matter affecting former Manchester City staff. There are several former Manchester City employees at Old Trafford, and more at other Premier League clubs. Berrada simply shook his head.

He is staying silent. When he finally does speak (Berrada was among several Premier League executives who did not attend the UEFA meeting in Copenhagen this week),

one thing is certain: his remarks will undoubtedly make headlines again.

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