Manchester United chief begins new role after huge transfer coup

Omar Berrada officially begins his new role as Manchester United chief executive on Saturday following his move from Man City.

It has been almost six months since United confirmed they had poached the CEO from their noisy neighbours and now he is set to get to work officially in his new role. Berrada was not allowed to officially represent United while he served his gardening leave from Man City but was free to prepare for his new role.

Although he has only just joined now, Berrada was the first key appointment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Ineos Group and it was he who recommended Jason Wilcox for the technical director role, having worked with him during his six-year tenure as academy director at City.

Berrada will take executive leadership of both the business and football side of operations and will also have a seat on the club board of directors.

Following confirmation of his appointment back in January, United released a statement which read: "The Club is determined to put football and performance on the pitch back at the heart of everything we do. Omar’s appointment represents the first step on this journey.

"As one of the most experienced football executives at the top of European football, Omar brings a wealth of football and commercial expertise, with a proven record of successful leadership and a passion to help lead change across the Club. He is currently serving as Chief Football Operations Officer for City Football Group overseeing 11 clubs across five continents and, prior to this, held senior roles at Barcelona.

"It is our stated ambition to re-establish Manchester United as a title-winning club. We are pleased that Omar will be joining us to help achieve that goal, so that, once again, United fans can see, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, the red flag flying high at the summit of English, European and world football."