Manchester United have raided Manchester City for another behind the scenes hire.
When David Moyes uttered those infamous words back in 2014 – Manchester City, the Scot said, were at the level Manchester United ‘were aspiring to’ – his comments felt like the prime example of how not to win friends and influence people.
But ten years on, with the gap between the two Premier League giants growing despite the Red Devils‘ FA Cup success a week ago, even the most red-tinted of Manchester United supporters would have to accept that their bitter, blue-clad rivals are playing at a standard Erik ten Hag‘s team must be aiming to reach if they are to reclaim their place at the summit of English football.
Those 115 charges notwithstanding, Man United’s pursuit of a number of behind-the-scenes staff who helped City become the dominant force of the domestic game highlights Ineos’ desire to finally put a clear, coherent and elite structure in place in the boardroom and beyond.
Toby Craig the latest new Ineos hire
According to the Daily Mail, Toby Craig will become the third former City staff member to make the move across Manchester since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control. While not quite as high-profile an arrival as that of Berrarda and Wilcox, Craig is seen as another ‘significant’ addition, hired to be United’s new chief communications officer after spells at the Etihad and Chelsea.
Craig, who’s job will see him take a key role in public affairs and communications, will allegedly report into Berrada. The former Barcelona chief will not join United until mid-July due to his gardening leave, but Craig is reported to begin his new job tomorrow.
According to The Org, Man United’s latest Ineos-led hire has also worked as a Director of Corporate Affairs and as a Director of Commercial Communications in the City Football Group, as well as as the Head of Marketing Communications.
Craig, a graduate of the University of Leeds, also has a degree in Law from the University of London.
And while frustration is growing in some quarters about the radio silence surrounding Ten Hag’s future – Ineos yet to confirm or deny if the FA Cup-winning Dutchman is staying on – the atmosphere behind the scenes at Carrington is clearly a lot better for Ratcliffe’s presence.
Manchester United are taking a leaf out of City’s success
Jason Wilcox, Man United’s new technical director, played a key role in the emergence of Man City’s academy as one of the most prosperous in the game.
Omar Berrada, who’s arrival as CEO raised eyebrows and slackened jaws, could yet be the most transformative addition United have made off the pitch in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
“I spoke to some guys who are at City,” Rio Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League champion with the Red Devils, told Vibe with Five when Berrada’s appointment was confirmed a few months back. “They can’t believe we’ve got him. They think ‘wow’.
“He’s done so much in the game, at different levels. And he’s been successful. And it’s a really good, sharp signing for us.
“I think this could potentially be one of our best January signings, from the current climate especially.”