Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada Emphasizes Financial Discipline in Transfer Market
In a recent statement, Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada highlighted the club’s commitment to financial prudence in the transfer market. Berrada emphasized that overspending on player acquisitions could have long-term negative impacts on the team’s success.
“We were able to do it [the summer window] in a financially sustainable way,” Berrada said. “We were quite disciplined about the valuations we were giving to the players who were going to come in. We stuck to those valuations. I think Dan and the team did a fantastic job in the negotiations process.”
Both Berrada and Sporting Director Dan Ashworth joined Manchester United this year, bringing with them a new approach to the club’s transfer strategy. Berrada, who previously held key positions at Manchester City, including Director of Partnership Sales and Chief Football Operations Officer, stressed the importance of making smart financial decisions.
“The reason I mention that is if you make a mistake and if you overspend or get a player who can cost you too much, it can set you back,” the CEO added. “Which is why you need to be able to take those decisions and make the right ones consistently over time to be in a position to win consistently.”
Manchester United has faced criticism in recent years for substantial spending on transfers without achieving the desired results. The club invested €243.28 million (approximately $268.9 million) and €202.3 million (approximately $223.6 million) in player signings during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons respectively, finishing third and eighth in the Premier League during those campaigns.
Ashworth echoed Berrada’s sentiments on maintaining a lean and effective squad. “You have to be quite brave and make decisions that maybe you don’t want to make,” Ashworth said. “But you can’t have a bloated squad, and you’re also dealing with players that ultimately want to play football. So you want to make sure that the squad is lean, but you have enough depth.”
In the recent summer transfer window, Manchester United spent €214.5 million (approximately $237.1 million) to acquire five new players. The club loaned Jadon Sancho to Chelsea but continues to grapple with the expensive contract of Casemiro, both of whom cost the club over €150 million (approximately $165.8 million) in transfer fees.
Currently sitting in 14th place in the Premier League after losing two of their first three games this season, Manchester United’s leadership is looking to their new financial strategy to bolster long-term success.
Reference(s):
Manchester United won't overpay for transfers, says club CEO
cgtn.com
