Omar Berrada, former COO of Manchester City and current CEO of Manchester United, previously clashed with Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp in 2019 over the club's transfer spending. The disagreement naturally became headline news, as Berrada felt compelled to respond. Now, as Manchester City faces financial charges, Berrada has remained conspicuously quiet—a stark contrast to his willingness to speak out before. While Berrada himself has never been investigated or questioned by regulators, Manchester United fans have increasingly questioned Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to bring him in.

In summer 2019, the rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool was intense. Manchester City claimed the domestic treble, while Liverpool, after narrowly missing the league title with 97 points the previous season, won the Champions League to ease their disappointment.

Manchester City then shattered the club transfer record, spending £62.5 million to sign Rodri. Liverpool, by contrast, signed only 16-year-old Harvey Elliott during their pre-season tour of the United States. When asked about squad depth and summer transfers, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp responded thoughtfully.

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

"Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain—they can find any resources they need. There's no comparison. That's the reality. I'm not criticizing anyone. I know how people will interpret this—they'll think I'm jealous or something. I'm not jealous at all! This season is far from over for Liverpool, and we'll continue to be active in the transfer market."

So before the Community Shield, Klopp was taken aback to see headlines urging him to "stop talking about money."

What surprised people at Anfield was that this backlash came directly from Omar Berrada, Manchester City's COO at the time.

"We were quite surprised," Berrada said. "I don't know why they would say such things. Why do they always focus on other clubs? It's not frustration or anger. We just find it odd that they keep bringing up our spending. We have no opinion on Liverpool's transfer spending."

He added: "The truth is, every top club spends according to its own plan. We don't scrutinize what others do. Liverpool are an excellent sporting rival."

That last remark sounded like a hastily bought petrol station bouquet on Valentine's Day at 4 p.m.—lacking sincerity. Berrada didn't need to comment, but his pointed words clearly added fuel to the fire.

"We will overtake Manchester United"

Yet this week, Omar Berrada has been notably reluctant to speak out. It's clear that if the current Manchester United CEO were to comment on the serious financial scandal engulfing his former club—where he worked for 13 years—the implications would be significant.

One crucial point must be made clear: among all the charges brought by the Premier League against Manchester City, Berrada himself has never been accused of anything and has borne no responsibility throughout the entire legal process.

Importantly, when the charges were announced in February 2023 and the Premier League planned to interview key Manchester City personnel, Berrada was not considered a key figure requiring detailed investigation.

However, this doesn't mean the public hasn't taken notice of him. Many Manchester United fans, especially since Sir Jim Ratcliffe brought him in along with another former Manchester City executive, Jason Wilcox, from their "noisy neighbors" in January 2024, have been closely monitoring both men.

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

The growth of Manchester City during that period was remarkable. Long-serving employees found it extraordinary: the club needed offices in the capital in addition to its Manchester headquarters, and this advancing operation seemed unstoppable.

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

Cook boldly announced to everyone: "We will overtake Manchester United." Many in the room exchanged uncertain glances, wondering how this could possibly happen.

Cook then presented multiple charts, detailing an ambitious plan to overtake Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.

"I cannot comment on matters from my previous role"

Berrada, born in Paris to Moroccan parents, was among the wave of new recruits joining the club during an unprecedented hiring spree, with new appointments announced almost daily. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming Soriano's deputy by 2016, overseeing Manchester City's day-to-day operations.

Berrada received further promotions afterward, prompting Ratcliffe to believe that recruiting this 48-year-old executive to move just five miles down the road to lead Manchester United's revival would be a significant coup. However, his impact so far has been underwhelming.

The storm engulfing Manchester City will arrive sooner or later, and while Berrada has never been investigated by regulators, was Ratcliffe's decision to sign him a wise one?

This is a question worth exploring, and Manchester United fans have raised it repeatedly throughout this tumultuous week.

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

"I cannot comment on matters from my previous role," he replied. "I am fully committed to Manchester United now. I believe we have strong foundations to continue growing and competing for the title without causing harm."

According to reports, the journalist followed up, asking whether he was concerned the case would affect former Manchester City employees. Many ex-City personnel are now at Old Trafford and at other Premier League clubs. Berrada simply shook his head.

His silence speaks volumes. 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 comments will inevitably become headlines once again.

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