Omar Berrada, former Chief Operating Officer of Manchester City and current CEO of Manchester United, once rebutted Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp's comments about the club's transfer spending in 2019. That incident left many wondering what would happen, as Berrada was eager to speak out, and his statement inevitably made headlines. Now, with Manchester City embroiled in financial misconduct charges, Berrada has unusually chosen to remain silent. Although Berrada has never been investigated or questioned by regulatory authorities, 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 reached a fever pitch. Manchester City had won the domestic treble; Liverpool, having come agonisingly close to the title with 97 points the previous season, had claimed the Champions League trophy, sweeping aside the disappointment.

Manchester City then broke their transfer record, spending £62.5 million to sign Rodri. By contrast, Liverpool only brought in the 16-year-old Harvey Elliott. During a pre-season tour of the United States, Jürgen Klopp was asked about squad depth and summer transfer activity, including new contracts.

"Everyone has to pay their bills, so do we," Klopp said. "We invest in the team, and now it looks like nothing is happening. But we don't live in a fantasy world where we can get whatever we want and just keep spending money endlessly. Looking around the world, it seems only four clubs can consistently spend big money.

"Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. They can access whatever resources they want, which is incomparable. That's the current situation. I'm not criticizing; I know how people will interpret it, thinking I'm jealous or something. I'm not jealous at all! This season is not the end for Liverpool; we will continue operating in the next transfer window."

So, before the Community Shield match, Klopp was surprised to find headlines suggesting he should "stop talking about money."

What baffled Anfield was that this controversy was directly triggered by Omar Berrada, Manchester City's COO at the time, who chose to respond publicly.

"We were a bit surprised," Berrada said at the time. "I don't know why they made such a statement, why they always focus on other clubs. It's not frustration or anger; we just find it strange that they constantly bring up our spending. We have no opinion on Liverpool's transfer spending."

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

That last statement sounded like flowers hastily bought from a petrol station convenience store at 10 p.m. on Valentine's Day—entirely insincere. Berrada didn't need to respond, but his forceful statement undoubtedly added fuel to the fire.

"We Will Overtake Manchester United"

Yet this week, Omar Berrada has shown no eagerness to speak. Clearly, if Manchester United's current CEO were to discuss the financial scandal engulfing his former club, where he spent 13 years, it would create seismic fallout.

At this critical juncture, one thing must be clarified: of all the charges brought by the Premier League against Manchester City, Berrada himself has never been accused, and no accountability has been pursued against him throughout the entire legal process.

It should also be noted that when the charges were announced in February 2023, and the Premier League planned to interview key Manchester City personnel, Berrada was not considered a person of interest for interrogation.

However, this doesn't mean the public won't scrutinize him, particularly a significant number of Manchester United supporters. Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe poached him and fellow former Manchester City executive Jason Wilcox from the "noisy neighbours" in January 2024, fans have closely monitored both men.

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

During that period, Manchester City grew at a remarkable pace. Long-serving employees found it extraordinary: the club needed an office in the capital in addition to its Manchester headquarters, and this juggernaut seemed unstoppable.

In autumn 2008, shortly after Sheikh Mansour's acquisition of the club and the dawn of the Abu Dhabi era, then-CEO Garry Cook gathered all staff for a company-wide meeting at the Commonwealth Hall at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Cook didn't hesitate to state openly, "We will overtake Manchester United." Many in attendance exchanged glances, wondering how this could be achieved.

Cook, however, presented various charts and detailed plans, with the goal of surpassing Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

"I Cannot Comment on Matters from My Previous Role"

Berrada was born in Paris to Moroccan parents. He was among the new recruits who joined during an unprecedented wave of hiring by the club, with announcements of new appointments flooding in daily. He rose rapidly, becoming Soriano's deputy in 2016, overseeing Manchester City's day-to-day operations.

Berrada continued to receive promotions after that. So Ratcliffe considered him a major catch, persuading the 48-year-old executive to switch to a team just five miles away and spearhead Manchester United's revival. But so far, the results have been underwhelming.

Manchester City's reckoning will come sooner or later, and even if Berrada has never been investigated or questioned by regulatory authorities, was Ratcliffe's decision to recruit him wise?

This is a question worth discussing, and Manchester United fans have repeatedly raised it during this turbulent week.

At a press conference in September 2024, a journalist asked Berrada whether he would be involved in the charges against Manchester City.

"I cannot comment on matters from my previous role," he replied. "I am now fully committed to Manchester United. I am confident we have a strong foundation to continue growing and compete for trophies without suffering losses."

According to sources, when the journalist subsequently asked whether he was concerned the case would affect former Manchester City employees—many of whom are now at Old Trafford and at other Premier League clubs—Berrada simply shook his head.

He remained silent. On the rare occasion he has spoken, Berrada has been notably absent from the UEFA meeting in Copenhagen this week, among several Premier League executives who did not attend.

One thing is certain: his next statement will inevitably become headline news.

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