New Man Utd chief executive Omar Berrada urges fans to be ‘patient’ while club aim to get back to the top – as Red Devils look to bounce back from eight-place Premier League finish

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has warned getting the club back to the top will be no quick fix as he called for patience from fans ahead of the new season.

Berrada is set to attend his first game at Old Trafford since joining United from rivals Manchester City in July when Erik ten Hag’s men open the Premier League campaign against Fulham on Friday night.

The game comes after a summer of significant change at the club, with Berrada among the new faces in the leadership team following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as minority owner.

United have also spent more than £150million on new signings so far this window as Ratcliffe’s INEOS group look to drastically improve a side which finished eighth last season, 31 points behind champions Man City.

And Berrada, who helped oversee a huge period of success at City, has admitted closing the gap to his former employers and United ending their long Premier League title drought is still a long way off.

Erik ten Hag’s men open the Premier League campaign against Fulham on Friday night

As well as Berrada, Dan Ashworth has joined as sporting director in United’s overhaul

Berrada is set to attend his first game at Old Trafford since joining United from rivals Manchester City in July

Writing in United’s newly-published fan engagement plan, Berrada said: ‘Returning to the top will take time and will need some patience, but we will work with you, communicate honestly and act in your interests so that your Manchester United experience is the best it can be.’

As well as Berrada, Dan Ashworth has joined as sporting director, Jason Wilcox as technical director and Christopher Vivell has been appointed interim director of recruitment in United’s overhaul of their football department following years of stagnation under the Glazer family.

‘We are building a strong and talented football structure to work with Erik and ensure that we are focused on long-term success,’ Berrada added in his programme notes for the clash with Fulham.

‘We are also looking to build a world-leading non-football leadership team, which I know will help us to thrive.

‘This is an eventful time for the club. Everything we do has to help us to perform on the pitch and that is our number one priority.’