What Manchester United insiders think Berrada hire means for Glazers’ future

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Manchester United ‘insiders’ reportedly believe that the arrival of Omar Barrada as the Premier League giants’ new CEO could bring about the end of the Glazers at Old Trafford.

One suspects that Sir Dave Brailsford – a master of persuasion as he is – would not struggle selling driving lessons to Max Verstappen.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man has been a near-constant presence at Old Trafford since INEOS’ 25 per cent takeover of Manchester United and, while ‘marginal gains’ are his meat and drink, there is nothing ‘marginal’ about the Red Devils’ appointment of Omar Berrada as the club’s new CEO.

One of the sharpest minds in world football – and an expert both in the football and the commercial side of things – Berrada would have been a coup of an appointment regardless where he’d arrived at Old Trafford from. But the sight of Man United strolling into the home of the treble winners and snatching a man who has been so integral to Man City’s rapid rise to prominence? That is some statement of intent from INEOS, make no mistake. 

Manchester United snatch Omar Berrada from Man City

According to iNews, ‘insiders’ at Manchester United believe that Berrada’s arrival could be the ‘beginning of the end for the Glazers’, even if the despised Floridians still retain 75 per cent of the club’s ownership.

The report adds that, while some have attempted to paint Barrada’s appointment as a coup driven by Joel and Avram, it is Braislford, Ratcliffe and INEOS who were really at the heart of discussions. That, of course, will have come as no surprise to those familiar with United’s usual negotiating strategy.

Beginning of the end for the Glazer family?

Berrada was appointed completely out of the blue on Saturday, arriving under a cloak of complete secrecy. Had he been hired pre-Ratcliffe – not that the Glazers would ever have been so ambitious anyway – it would have taken weeks, probably months, with the club delaying and debating over every single penny of his salary.

With Ratcliffe likely to demand full control of Manchester United at some point down the line, and with the Glazer’s power and influence clearly dwindling already despite the fact they remain majority owners, Berrada’s shock appointment serves only to boost the power and the popularity of INEOS while further cutting off the blood supply to the parasites.