A series of historic tweets from incoming Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has emerged, in which he mocks the Red Devils.
Mail Sport previously reported that United are due to appoint Berrada – of rivals Manchester City – as their new chief executive in a move that is being seen as a major coup.
It is understood that his arrival was driven by Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s INEOS team, who are to take control of football operations after agreeing a 25 per cent stake in the club.
Ahead of his expected move, a number of historic tweets have come to light on social media in which he mocks United – including one openly stating he ‘hopes’ they lose.
While another suggested that Bayern Munich should have beaten the Red Devils in the Champions League final that completed their Treble in 1999.
Omar Berrada is set to become Manchester United’s CEO by switching from rivals Man City
Three historic tweets have emerged which Berrada mocks Manchester United – including one that suggests they should have lost to Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final
The series of tweets begin on February 5, 2012, in which he watched Manchester United’s visit to Chelsea from an airport.
He first tweeted: ‘Stuck at the airport ’cause of snow delays. Killing time watching Man United vs Chelsea on my iPad via Sky go. And hoping for a ManU loss…’
Chelsea clearly made a good start to the game as he later tweeted: ‘Goal! Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United. Oh yeah! Viva la Spanish Connection!’
That came after Fernando Torres set up Juan Mata to put Chelsea 2-0 ahead in a match which ultimately finished 3-3.
Then a year later he tweeted about watching United’s historic victory over Bayern Munich in 1999.
He tweeted: ‘Watching the Man Utd vs Bayern 1999 UCL final on ESPN Classic. I had forgotten how much Bayern really deserved to win that match.’
Then in 2014, Berrada shared an article from The Guardian about the Red Devils with the caption: ‘Manchester United: How did they get into this mess?’
The tweet was in April 2014 towards the end of United’s first season in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
A tweet has emerged from ten years ago in which Berrada criticises the Red Devils
Berrada also celebrated Fernando Torres linking up with Juan Mata to put Chelsea 2-0 up against Manchester United in February 2012 – in a game that ultimately finished 3-3
Berrada criticised the club in 2014 when they finished seventh under former boss David Moyes
Ten years on, the Red Devils are still seventh in the table after what has been a tough season
After winning the league a year prior, the Red Devils only finished seventh in 2013-14 in a season which they were managed by David Moyes.
Nearly ten years later, Berrada looks set to join at a time when the Red Devils are still seventh in the standings in 2023-24.
Another tweet from 2013 suggested that United icon George Best ‘didn’t hit his full potential’.
He wrote: ‘Saw a documentary on George Best. Amazing player that didn’t hit his full potential. And it’s curious how much his style resembled #Messi’s.’
The swoop, which sees Berrada, 46, take on a bigger role with more responsibilities across Manchester, is thought to have been signed off by United’s owners, the Glazer family.
Insiders have disclosed that the situation moved at pace, with Berrada identified as the preferred successor to Richard Arnold, who left ahead of the INEOS deal being agreed.
Berrada in another tweet suggested Manchester United icon George Best ‘didn’t hit his full potential’
It represents the first big decision from Ratcliffe’s people and those close to the situation have been impressed at the speed in which they have moved.
He goes with City’s blessing and the parting is known to have been amicable. It is thought Berrada, who has also worked for Barcelona, agonised over the move but saw it as an opportunity he could not turn down.
He will remain well-thought of at City, who see the move as further vindication of their success and methods.
Berrada is the latest to depart the Etihad Stadium for a more significant role with a different club.
