New Man Utd chief executive Omar Berrada urges fans to be ‘patient’ while club aim to get back to the top – as Red Devils look to bounce back from eight-place Premier League finish
- Berrada made the move from rivals Man City last summer as part of United’s restructuring
- He will be in attendance tonight for the season opener against Fulham at Old Trafford
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Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has warned that getting the club back to the top will not be easy and urged fans to be patient ahead of the new season.
Berrada is expected to attend his first match at Old Trafford since joining United from rivals Manchester City in July, when Erik ten Hag’s men open the Premier League season against Fulham on Friday night.
The match follows a summer of major changes at the club, with Berrada one of the new faces in the leadership team following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority shareholder.
United have also spent more than £150million on new players so far this transfer window as Ratcliffe’s INEOS group looks to dramatically improve a team that finished eighth last season, 31 points behind champions Man City.
And Berrada, who helped spearhead a period of great success at City, has admitted it will take a long time before the rift with his former employers and United is closed, ending their long Premier League title drought.
Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada (centre) has warned that the club’s return to the top flight will not be achieved quickly.
Erik ten Hag’s men open the Premier League season on Friday evening against Fulham
Alongside Berrada, Dan Ashworth has also joined as sporting director in United’s reorganisation
Berrada is expected to attend his first match at Old Trafford since joining United from rivals Manchester City in July
Berrada wrote in United’s recently published fan engagement plan: ‘Returning to the top will take time and requires patience, but we will work with you, communicate honestly and act in your best interests to ensure your Manchester United experience is the best it can be.’
In addition to Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox have also been appointed as technical directors and Christopher Vivell as interim director of recruitment as United’s football department is overhauled after years of stagnation under the Glazer family.
“We are building a strong and talented football structure to work with Erik and ensure we focus on long-term success,” Berrada added in his programme notes for the Fulham match.
“We also want to build a leading leadership team that is not just about football. I am sure that will help us to flourish.
“This is a turbulent time for the club. Everything we do has to help us perform on the pitch and that is our highest priority.”