Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada made a thrilling transfer revelation following the club’s 2-2 draw with Everton in their final game of the Premier League Summer Series.
United held to draw by Everton
United took the lead just 19 minutes in through captain Bruno Fernandes, who made no mistake from the spot-kick after Amad won the penalty.
But, the Red Devils were pegged back moments before the break as Ilimian Ndiaye restored parity. Everton came out guns blazing in the second half but it was United who went ahead, this time through substitute Mason Mount.
Mount got on the end of a ball from Fernandes before producing a superb turn and curled finish that Jordan Pickford frankly had no chance of keeping out.
United looked set to claim a third straight pre-season win, but sloppy defending led to Amad accidentally scoring an own goal. In the end, both teams had to settle for a draw in a scrappy and hard-fought encounter.
After the game, Omar Berrada spoke to MUTV and shared his thoughts on a range of issues including his optimism for the upcoming campaign, the club’s transfer plans and moving into a new and revamped Carrington training facility.
Berrada’s remarks
So far this summer, United have announced the signings of four players – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon and Enzo Kana-Biyik.
Cunha and Mbeumo were brought in to bolster United’s attacking ranks after a goal-shy 2024/25 campaign. Leon, whose transfer was agreed in January, has been integrated into the senior squad and appears to be adapting well. Meanwhile, Kana-Biyik was sent out on loan to INEOS-owned FC Lausanne Sport to gain more first-team experience.
However, it remains clear that United are in desperate need of more signings if they are to become a truly competitive outfit next term. It’s believed that Amorim is particularly keen on a new goalkeeper and a striker.
In his interview with club media, Berrada revealed that the leadership team is actively working to bring in a few more signings.
The United CEO remarked, “We have to do a lot of multitasking. We have a team back home led by Jason, the recruitment team, that is working around the clock to ensure that we continue to find opportunities to strengthen our squad.”
“There are lots of late calls and early morning meetings to make sure that we stay on top of it.”
Berrada insisted that he is cautiously optimistic for 2025/26.
“The mood has been very good. The culture, the standards, the values, we are trying to ensure that we create a team spirit that allows the players to compete at the highest level. We have very high standards, Ruben is very clear about that and so is Jason [Wilcox]. It is something we want to see with the players, with the staff, with everyone, because what we want to do is to win and to start winning titles as soon as possible.”
“Of course, adding players helps. We have seen the arrival of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.”
“They have adapted really well. We are going to see Bryan play for the first time, Matheus has already shown his quality and Diego has shown that he is adapting very quickly, having just come from Paraguay, so all of the signs are positive and we are cautiously optimistic. We hope we are going to have a great season.”
Berrada continued, “It is about raising standards and being very disciplined, and the way you approach the application of those standards. We have to make sure that everybody abides by them, that everybody believes in them and that nobody falls out of line.”
“It is really important for us to create that sense of togetherness around a single idea.”
On returning to a refurbished Carrington training complex, Berrada explained, “For sure, it is a really important milestone for us. We have invested a lot in improving the facilities, it is going to be best in class and really second to none in the world of sports.”
“We are going to open it on Friday 8 and we are very proud of what it’s going to look like. I have no doubt that it is going to positively impact the performance of our teams.”
Berrada also expressed his pleasure with how United’s tour of the US transpired as he praised the Premier League for putting together an “excellent tournament.”
United are back in action on Saturday when they host Fiorentina at Old Trafford in their final pre-season meeting.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
