The podcast discusses the appointment of Omar Berrada as the new CEO of Manchester United, his background and potential impact on the club. They also touch on tweets from 2014 and a turning point game for David De Gea. Speculation on future moves, player evaluations, and transfers are discussed. They also mention their upcoming preview of the match against New Port County.
Omar Berrada's appointment as Manchester United's new CEO signals the club's commitment to improving their football operations and on-field performance.
Manchester United's rebuilding process in the upcoming transfer window should focus on strengthening the central midfield, right-back position, and attacking options to revive the club's success.
Deep dives
Manchester United appoints Omar Barada as new CEO
In a surprise announcement, Manchester United has appointed Omar Barada as their new CEO. Barada, who was previously at Manchester City, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. He is highly regarded both within and outside the club and has been involved in notable football deals. This appointment signals United's intent to strengthen their football operations and prioritize performance on the pitch. Fans are optimistic about the appointment, viewing it as a step towards reviving the club's success and competitiveness.
Areas of focus in the transfer window
As Manchester United looks to rebuild, they face several priorities in the upcoming transfer window. Central midfield is a crucial area that needs strengthening, with the need for a proven playmaker. The right-back position is also a concern, as the current options are considered average and do not provide the necessary attacking qualities. Additionally, the team needs a reliable goal scorer and improved attacking options on the right-wing. This comprehensive rebuilding process requires a combination of experienced international signings and a focus on promoting talented youth players from the academy.
Disappointing signings during the Ferguson era
Although Sir Alex Ferguson oversaw many successful transfers during his tenure, there were also a few disappointing signings. One such example is Juan Sebastian Veron, who arrived with high expectations but failed to live up to them in the Premier League. Other disappointing signings include Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba, and Bebe. These signings did not meet the required standards and did not contribute significantly to the team's success.
Demand for away tickets and allocation challenges
There is a significant demand for away tickets among Manchester United fans, with applications significantly outnumbering the available tickets. This creates challenges in terms of allocating tickets fairly. While some fans experience multiple rejections for away matches, others manage to secure tickets consistently. The club must strike a balance between loyalty and providing opportunities for all supporters to attend away matches. The current system of applications and ballots aims to distribute tickets fairly, but there is always room for improvement to meet the overwhelming demand.
Ian, Carl, Laurie & Andy discuss the huge story broken exclusively by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that Omar Berrada will move from Manchester City to become Manchester United’s new CEO..
Plus there is time to answer a selection of questions from listeners across a range of topics including the summer transfer window and the United player you'd love to have seen play.