Omar Berrada has been given a handy checklist for when he arrives at Manchester United from a man who knows exactly what it takes to make the club successful. 

David Gill, United’s CEO during the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson, sat down with former United defender Rio Ferdinand on his FIVE YouTube channel.

One of the big talking points was how Berrada, who has spent a decade at Manchester City and worked at Barcelona before that, can make an immediate impact in his role as chief executive. 

‘Firstly, I think appointing someone from outside is a good idea, someone with new ideas and a new perspective coming from a very successful club,’ Gill told Ferdinand. 

David Gill (left) explained to Rio Ferdinand (right) what incoming CEO Omar Berrada must do

Berrada is set to join Manchester United in the summer having spent a decade at Man City

‘[My advice would be to] really focus in with Dave Brailsford and those on the recruitment and negotiation side, really understand that. Get the focus back on that, get it working better to deliver the players. 

‘We have just negotiated an extension with adidas, a great deal there, and we’ve got sponsors coming in all the time so that is working pretty well. But if you align that with a team performance you’re doing even better.’

Berrada is currently on gardening leave and is undoubtedly doing his own research into failings at Manchester United in recent years, which has seen them drastically fall out of title contention. 

While a key focus for Berrada will be on helping to streamline recruitment – eyebrows have been raised on the £86million paid for Antony in recent seasons – there is an act that is much more modest that Gill believes would make Berrada an immediate hit.  

Gill (right) wants to see Berrada treat every member of staff, regardless of status, the same

‘Rio will know this from Carrington and myself at Old Trafford, there are lots of people who work there,’ Gill explained. 

‘Clubs have lots of people who have been there for many years, love the club and they just need a bit of hope, a bit of aspiration and that will galvanise them to work harder and be more motivated. To me, that’s what’s needed. Then getting back to the philosophy that we are all one club.’

He added: ‘The ability as a good manager is to manage downwards, do it in the ticket office, the people working the electricity, that sort of thing. If you can show that sort of empathy with all the employees he’ll make a great start.’

Berrada was sensationally poached from his role as chief football operations officer at the City Football Group last month and is expected to officially begin work at Old Trafford this summer. He currently remains on gardening leave.

Berrada has warned clubs against overspending (pictured: Antony, who joined for over £80m)

In a bullish statement, United said Berrada’s shock arrival signalled the beginning of their attempt to restore the club as a heavyweight on the world stage, a push fronted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe after a deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake was reached.

United have been criticised for lacking identity on the pitch, with Erik ten Hag’s strugglers sitting sixth in the Premier League and crashing out of the Champions League in the group stage. Conversely, City have been praised for a clear blueprint.

Indeed, during his time at his previous club, Berrada worked closely with City Football Group chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak and City executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain to ensure transfers complemented Guardiola’s playing style.