Former Man Utd CEO hands three-point checklist to Omar Berrada

Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill believes poaching Omar Berrada from Manchester City was a 'good idea' and has backed the new CEO to make a strong start with his new club.

Berrada was confirmed as United's incoming CEO last month, a surprise development that saw him swap the Etihad for Old Trafford with almost no warning. He has been placed on gardening leave by City but will hope to make an instant impact on their rivals when he does arrive in the summer.

Gill held the role of United CEO during some of the club's most successful years under Sir Alex Ferguson. And in a recent interview, he has pinpointed the key areas for Berrada to focus on when he begins.

“Firstly, I think appointing someone from outside is a good idea, someone with new ideas and a new perspective coming from a very successful club," Gill told FIVE. “[My advice would be to] really focus in with Dave Brailsford and those on the recruitment and negotiation side, really understand that. Get the focus back on that, get it working better to deliver the players.

“We have just negotiated an extension with Adidas, a great deal there, and we've got sponsors coming in all the time so that is working pretty well. But if you align that with a team performance you're doing even better.

“Rio will know this from Carrington and myself at Old Trafford, there are lots of people who work there. Clubs have lots of people who have been there for many years, love the club and they just need a bit of hope, a bit of aspiration and that will galvanise them to work harder and be more motivated. To me, that's what's needed. Then getting back to the philosophy that we are all one club.

“The ability as a good manager is to manage downwards, do it in the ticket office, the people working the electricity, that sort of thing. If you can show that sort of empathy with all the employees he'll make a great start.”