Erik ten Hag has been informed that INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe want to work with him as they look to lead the club back to its former glory. Ratcliffe recently had a £1.3billion offer for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United accepted and is now set to take over the footballing operations at the club with his company.
The British billionaire will be keeping a close eye on Ten Hag, who has endured a turbulent season at the helm so far. United currently sit seventh in the Premier League and were knocked out of the Champions League group stages earlier this year.
Meanwhile, there have been multiple reports suggesting Ten Hag has lost his dressing room. According to Sky Sports, one source claimed 50 per cent of the squad have turned against him in recent weeks due to his refusal to act on concerns voiced by United’s players.
The continued exile of Jadon Sancho cited as one of the main factors. Yet Ten Hag claims INEOS and Ratcliffe are planning on keeping him around. Although he won’t sit down with the new minority shareholder until after this weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest, he informed reporters at his pre-match press conference that both parties are looking forward to working together.
“As you said, the schedule is so condensed I didn’t have the time so far to speak with them but it will come,” he said. “I look forward. They want to work with me, I want to work with them, we will have the conversations, the meetings. We will see.”
When asked if the challenge remains the same despite the new investment, Ten Hag replied: “I’m focused on the game so far, so I said no (to discussions). In this moment I don’t want to have distractions. In the coming days, weeks, there will be time for us, then I’ll know more.
“I think it’s a good thing, it’s very positive. We are looking really forward to work together. Ineos wants to work with me in this structure and I want to work with them.
“We always want to win, it doesn’t matter who is the leader. We are appointed here in this area, we need a winning culture no matter who is in the lead, no matter who is the owner. But, of course, owners can inspire you.”