Omar Berrada, former Manchester City COO and current Manchester United CEO, once defended Manchester City against comments made by Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in 2019 regarding transfer spending. That incident generated headlines, with Berrada eager to speak out in the club's defence. Now, with Manchester City embroiled in a financial scandal, Berrada remains uncharacteristically silent. Although Berrada has never been investigated or questioned by regulators, Manchester United fans are increasingly questioning Ratcliffe's decision to appoint him.

In the summer of 2019, the rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool reached fever pitch. Manchester City had secured a domestic treble, while Liverpool, after narrowly missing out on the league title with 97 points the previous season, won the Champions League, ending their trophy drought.

Manchester City then broke their club transfer record, spending £62.5 million on Rodri. In contrast, Liverpool signed 16-year-old Harvey Elliott. During a pre-season tour in the United States, Jürgen Klopp was asked about his squad depth and summer transfer activity, including new contract negotiations.

"Everyone has to pay the bills, and so do we," Klopp said. "We invest in the team, and it might seem like we're not doing much now. But we don't live in a fantasy world where we can get whatever we want and keep spending endlessly. Looking around the world, it seems only four clubs can consistently spend big.

"Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. They can acquire whatever resources they want; it's incomparable. That's the reality. I'm not criticising, I know how people will interpret it, thinking I'm jealous or something. I'm not jealous at all! This season isn't the end for Liverpool; we'll continue to operate in the next transfer window."

Before the Community Shield match, Klopp was surprised to find headlines urging him to "stop talking about money."

What caught everyone at Anfield off guard was that this controversy was directly sparked by Omar Berrada, then Manchester City's Chief Operating Officer, hitting back.

"We were a little surprised," Berrada said at the time. "I don't know why they make such comments, why they always focus on other clubs. It's not frustration or anger; we just find it strange that they always 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 focus on what others do. Liverpool is a great sporting rival."

That last remark sounded like a hastily purchased bouquet from a petrol station convenience store on Valentine's night, lacking genuine warmth. Berrada didn't need to comment, but his forceful response undoubtedly poured petrol on the fire.

"We will surpass Manchester United."

This week, however, Omar Berrada was far less forthcoming. Clearly, if the current Manchester United CEO were to discuss the financial scandal engulfing his former employer of 13 years, it would have serious repercussions.

At this critical juncture, one thing must be clear: of all the charges brought against Manchester City by the Premier League, Berrada himself has never been accused of anything, and no accountability has been assigned to him throughout the legal proceedings.

It is also worth noting that when the charges were announced in February 2023 and the Premier League planned to interview key Manchester City personnel, Berrada was not among those identified for significant questioning.

However, this does not mean the public will overlook him, particularly Manchester United supporters. After Sir Jim Ratcliffe recruited him, along with fellow former Manchester City executive Jason Wilcox, from the "noisy neighbours" in January 2024, fans have been watching the pair closely.

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

During that period, Manchester City's growth was extraordinary. Long-serving employees found it remarkable that the club needed an office in the capital in addition to its Manchester headquarters, and this seemingly unstoppable expansion continued apace.

In the autumn of 2008, shortly after Sheikh Mansour acquired the club, ushering in the Abu Dhabi era, then-CEO Garry Cook gathered all employees for a general meeting in the Commonwealth Suite at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Cook unequivocally declared to everyone: "We will surpass Manchester United." Many in the audience exchanged glances, wondering how this could possibly be achieved.

Cook then presented detailed charts outlining the roadmap to overtake Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

"I cannot comment on matters related to my previous tenure."

Berrada, born in Paris to Moroccan parents, was among the new recruits hired during the club's unprecedented recruitment expansion, with new appointments announced almost daily. He rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming Soriano's deputy by 2016 and overseeing Manchester City's daily operations.

Berrada continued to receive promotions. So when Ratcliffe believed he could persuade the 48-year-old executive to switch to a rival just five miles away to lead Manchester United's revival, it was seen as a major recruitment coup. However, the results he has delivered so far have not been particularly impressive.

The storm surrounding Manchester City was bound to break eventually. But even if Berrada was never investigated by regulators, was Ratcliffe's decision to sign him wise?

This is a question worth examining, and Manchester United fans have been asking it repeatedly in the turbulent past week.

At a press conference in September 2024, a journalist asked Berrada if he was concerned about being implicated in the Manchester City allegations.

"I cannot comment on matters related to my previous tenure," he replied. "I am now fully committed to Manchester United. I believe we have a solid foundation for continued growth and competing for titles without incurring losses."

According to sources, the journalist then pressed him, asking if he was worried about the case affecting other former Manchester City employees. There are several former Manchester City staff at Old Trafford, and many more at other Premier League clubs. Berrada simply shook his head.

He remains silent. When he finally does speak—Berrada was among several Premier League executives who missed the UEFA meeting in Copenhagen this week—one thing is certain: his statement will undoubtedly make headlines.

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