Arsenal title rivals suffer major blow as key staff member joins 'bitter rivals'

Arsenal are currently in the thick of heated title race alongside Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa - but one of them, City, have suffered a major blow recently. Their Chief Football Operations Officer, Omar Berrarda, has left the club to join local rivals Manchester United after spending over three years at the Etihad Stadium.

A 'highly regarded' figure at City, Berrada is credited with finalising the signing of record-breaking forward Erling Haaland. His signings and influence played a pivotal role in the Sky Blues picking up an historic treble last season, when they won the Premier League title, the Champions League trophy and the FA Cup in one of the most impressive seasons from a club side in recent memory.

What has been said following Manchester United's acquisition of Omar Berrada?

After the Red Devils snapped up Berrarda, a post on their official club website reads [via LiverpoolWorld]: "The club is determined to put football and performance on the pitch back at the heart of everything we do. Omar’s appointment represents the first step on this journey.

"As one of the most experienced football executives at the top of European football, Omar brings a wealth of football and commercial expertise, with a proven record of successful leadership and a passion to help lead change across the club. He is currently serving as Chief Football Operations Officer for City Football Group overseeing 11 clubs across five continents and, prior to this, held senior roles at Barcelona.

"It is our stated ambition to re-establish Manchester United as a title-winning club. We are pleased that Omar will be joining us to help achieve that goal, so that, once again, United fans can see, in the words of Sir Matt Busby, the red flag flying high at the summit of English, European and world football."