Man Utd appointing Premier League rival figure for role made redundant by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United are set to appoint Brentford's chief operating officer, Ameesh Manek, as their new director of football operations. The Bees' chief has reportedly agreed to take on the role and staff at both clubs were informed of the decision earlier today.

Manek is set to relocate northwards where he will be responsible for managing United's Carrington training ground. His remit will also include overseeing 'travel, security, the training facilities and staff management and infrastructure.'

He is the latest in a series of leadership appointments at the club, following Omar Berrada's move from Manchester City, Jason Wilcox taking up the post of technical director, and Marc Armstrong stepping in as the club's chief business officer.

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Interestingly, the position of director of football operations was previously made redundant by United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with David Harrison holding the role from 2023 until 2025.

Harrison was let go earlier this year, marking one of the most high-profile exits amid Ratcliffe's cost-cutting measures.

Manek will now fill that vacancy, as per the BBC, after a three-year stint with the Bees. He initially joined the club as business operations director before being promoted to the role of chief operating officer in July 2024.

Before his time at Brentford, Manek spent five years at Arsenal, eventually becoming head of first-team football operations.

His former position at the Bees was said to be more administrative, but his new role at United will reportedly involve a greater emphasis on football matters for both the men's and women's squads.

United have appointed several executives in recent weeks, with Stephen Torpey becoming the club's new academy director and leaving Brentford.

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