'If They Think Everything Is Going To Change, Congratulations': Pep Guardiola Takes Dig At Manchester United Signing Omar Berrada

Manchester United’s new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe promised supporters galore that change would come. And it sure did as his first key appointment upon taking the reigns was to poach United’s new CEO, Omar Berrada, from nowhere else but their hometown rivals, Manchester City.

Omar Berrada’s record speaks for itself. As the chief football operations officer at City Football Group, Berrada was key in the way he handled talent management, performance services and football intelligence for the club, making his switch of allegiances in Manchester one of the most sensational off-the-pitch coups in recent times.

Berrada was also recognized as having played an increasingly influential on the financial side of player negotiations such as Aymeric Laporte’s arrival back in 2018. City, no matter how well things are going on the field in the past few years, will need to consider his replacement extremely carefully so as to not destabilize themselves.

Despite the weight of it all, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola maintained a cool and calm demeanour, as he took to the media, stating that he believes United’s issues within the club cannot be resolved by one mere move and that he would be surprised if Berrada makes all the difference.

“I don’t know if, by doing this, everything is going to be sorted and it works,” stated Guardiola to press members.

“Maybe United think that with this person, everything is going to change — congratulations. If it does happen, then my God, they have to make a stand for Omar Berrada in the future because he’d deserve it.”

When asked about the loss that City have incurred on their front with Berrada’s departure from the club, a cheely Guardiola reasserted his belief in his players and stood firm in their ability to adapt to the change and move on ahead.

“Kevin De Bruyne is still at Man City, Erling Haaland will keep playing here, so it’s not that simple like that.

“Obviously Omar’s knowledge goes to United, that’s the reality. The club will move forward. We will adapt. I saw him yesterday, we hugged. I wish him the best because he’s a fantastic person,” added Guardiola.

Guardiola is not wrong, as there is still more than enough work left to be done by Erik Ten Hag’s side, who have had a horrendous season so far, in order for them to rise up the ranks again.