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New Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada's previous comments about Harry Maguire during his time at Manchester City have emerged.
Berrada is leaving his post as chief football operations officer for City Football Group, which includes the reigning Premier League champions and other clubs worldwide, for a new role at Old Trafford.
It is a huge statement of intent from new Red Devils shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose bid to own 25 per cent of United and oversee the Red Devils' football operations is in the process of being ratified.
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Since 2011, Berrada has worked closely with the rest of the City hierarchy to make them one of the best-run clubs around.
He also spent several years working at Barcelona during a successful period for the club.
United are desperate to return to winning ways on the pitch after years of mismanagement under the Glazer family.
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Despite spending money under the Glazer ownership, supporters have questioned the decision-making made by those at the top.
United decided to make Maguire the most expensive defender in world football when paying £80 million to Leicester City for his services.
City were linked with Maguire at the time but decided to save their money.
Despite Maguire being made United captain shortly after his arrival, he's been criticised for his performances under Ole Gunnar Solskjer, Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag. Maguire has since been stripped of the captaincy.
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Instead of entering a bidding war for Maguire, City decided to wait a year and signed Ruben Dias for £60 million. It ended up being a shrewd decision.
Dias has become a rock at the back under Pep Guardiola, helping City win the treble last season.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in 2020, Berrada admitted they didn't believe Maguire was worth what Leicester wanted and revealed why the club didn't panic about Dias' transfer.
The Portugal international didn't arrive at the Etihad Stadium until three games into the season, with City picking up four points from nine.
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Berrada explained: “When you make investments of that type [rushing to sign a player], when you get it wrong it has a significant impact over many years so we needed to get it [Dias’ transfer] right at the right valuation at the right time but more importantly for the right player.
“In the same way that we didn't rush into buying a centre-back last season after not wanting to sign Maguire for that valuation, this summer we had a very clear idea of what we wanted and fortunately we got the player we wanted at the valuation that we wanted."
Featured Image Credit: Manchester City/YouTube & Getty ImagesTopics: Manchester United, Manchester City, Premier League, Harry Maguire, Ruben Dias