Omar Berrada will officially start work as Man United chief executive in the summer but he is already holding meetings.
Incoming Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada is already holding meetings with external contacts ahead of officially starting the role in the summer.
It is understood Berrada, who is on gardening leave at Manchester City, has held clandestine meetings that some senior figures at United have been unaware of. Berrada is keen to maintain working relationships with those he dealt with when he was the chief football operations officer at City.
Berrada was the first key appointment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Ineos Group, who officially took control of football operations at United two weeks ago.
Berrada cannot officially represent United while he serves his gardening leave but he is free to prepare for his new role. United are also respectful of City, who were described as “grown-up” by Ratcliffe when United approached them regarding Berrada.
Ratcliffe underlined the significance of Berrada’s defection from City two weeks ago when he confirmed the Moroccan would help decide the club’s style of play.
“We had a very grown-up conversation with Manchester City about Omar,” Ratcliffe said. “They were very, very disappointed in Omar’s decision but Omar again went for the same reasons.
But we had a very grown-up conversation with them and when things calmed down we sorted it out very amicably, really. At the end of the day, they could accept why Omar wanted to take on that challenge and they didn’t want to stand in his way.”
There is uncertainty over the futures of United football director John Murtough
It is unclear if Murtough will accept a more administrative role or leave after Ratcliffe and Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford head-hunted Ashworth. Murtough is still attending United matches and remains a lead figure in the club’s recruitment plans for the summer transfer window.
Fletcher’s role as technical director has been more unconventional than at other clubs and the development of his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, in the United academy could have a bearing on his decision.
- A source who has dealt with Hargreaves said he has been trying to change United’s image during his transfer market dealings.
