United News | Club announces new Director of Football Operations

Some news now from 'behind the scenes'

Manchester United are set to appoint Brentford’s chief operating officer, Ameesh Manek, as the new director of football operations.

Author | Pete Shaw

Is this a good appointment?

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— The View From K Stand (@theviewfromkstand.bsky.social) 9 October 2025 at 06:35

Staff at both clubs were informed of the move on Wednesday.

Manek will oversee day-to-day operations at United’s Carrington training base, taking charge of areas including travel, security, training facilities, staff management and infrastructure.

The appointment is the latest in a series of leadership changes under United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada.

Manek will report to the director of football, Jason Wilcox, who is responsible for on-field performance, while chief business officer Marc Armstrong continues to oversee commercial and off-pitch growth.

Having joined Brentford in 2022 as business operations director, Manek was promoted to chief operating officer in July 2024. He previously spent five years at Arsenal, rising to the role of head of first-team football operations.

While his work at Brentford was largely administrative, his remit at Old Trafford is expected to have a stronger footballing focus, spanning both the men’s and women’s teams.

His arrival continues a pattern of key hires at United, following the appointment of former Brentford colleague Stephen Torpey as academy director.