Omar Berrada once publicly defended Manchester City after Jurgen Klopp criticised the spending power of the Premier League’s leading clubs. Now, as City face a financial scandal, the Manchester United chief executive has remained notably silent – prompting growing questions from United supporters about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to appoint him.
Berrada has never been investigated or questioned by regulators and has not been accused of wrongdoing in the Premier League’s case against Manchester City.
The dispute began in the summer of 2019, when City had won a domestic treble and Liverpool were recovering from missing out on the league title with 97 points before winning the Champions League.
City broke their transfer record to sign Rodri for £62.5 million, while Liverpool recruited 16-year-old Harvey Elliott. Asked during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States about squad depth, transfers and contract negotiations, Klopp said only four clubs appeared able to spend consistently at the highest level.
“Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain. They can acquire whatever resources they want; it’s incomparable,” Klopp said. “I’m not criticising, I know how people will interpret it, thinking I’m jealous or something. I’m not jealous at all!”
Klopp was then surprised to see headlines before the Community Shield suggesting he should “stop talking about money”.
Berrada, Manchester City’s chief operating officer at the time, responded publicly.
“We were a little surprised,” he said. “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.”
The intervention intensified the dispute, despite Berrada’s attempt to end on a conciliatory note.
When the Premier League announced 115 charges against Manchester City in February 2023 and planned to interview key personnel, Berrada was not listed among those expected to face significant questioning.
That distinction has not stopped Manchester United fans scrutinising him since Ratcliffe hired him, alongside former City executive Jason Wilcox, from the club described as United’s “noisy neighbours” in January 2024.
Berrada began his football career at Barcelona in 2004, working with Guardiola, Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain. He joined Manchester City in 2011, based at the club’s London office and responsible for international business operations. By 2016, he had become Soriano’s deputy and was overseeing City’s daily activities.
Born in Paris to Moroccan parents, Berrada was part of City’s rapid expansion after Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. At a staff meeting that autumn, then-chief executive Garry Cook said: “We will surpass Manchester United.” He also presented plans for overtaking Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
At a September 2024 news conference, Berrada was asked whether he feared being implicated in the 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.”
Asked whether the case might affect other former City employees, he shook his head.
Berrada was among several Premier League executives absent from a UEFA meeting in Copenhagen this week. When he speaks again, his comments are likely to attract considerable attention.
