Erik ten Hag acknowledges he hasn’t yet spoken with Manchester United’s new head of football operations, but he is convinced incoming minority owners INEOS want to collaborate with him.
On Christmas Eve, the Old Trafford giants revealed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had finally secured an agreement to purchase a twenty-five percent share in the Premier League team.
Under the terms of a contract that is anticipated to take four to six weeks to get regulatory approval, INEOS is taking over management of United’s football activities.
The incredible 3-2 comeback against Aston Villa took place at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, and Ten Hag said he will be engaging with the new minority owners shortly. Sir Dave Brailsford is the director of sport at INEOS.
The United manager, who has been under fire this season, stated, “The schedule is so condensed so I didn’t have the time so far to speak with them, but it will come and I look forward (to it).”
Both of us are interested in working together. We’ll see after the talks and meetings that we have.
Ten Hag responded, “I’m focused on the game so far,” when asked if he anticipates INEOS to be a regular presence at United’s Carrington training camp ahead of Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
I replied, “No, I don’t want any distractions right now, but there will be time for this in the upcoming days and weeks, and then I’ll know more.”
However, I believe it’s a fantastic thing, extremely positive, and we are really excited to work together, as I mentioned.
“I want to work with INEOs, and they want to work with me in this structure.”
A clause in the deal’s registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission ensures that, in the interim, INEOS will be consulted on United football concerns.
This covers starting or carrying on any conversation about the buying or selling of any player, as well as “appointing, dismissing or accepting the resignation of any director of football or first team manager of the company.”
“It doesn’t matter who is leading (the club); we always want to win,” Ten Hag declared.
“We are here to win, therefore regardless of who is leading or who owns the business, we need a winning culture here. Of course, though, you can get inspiration from the owners.
At the end of a wild 2023, United travels to Forest hoping to build on Tuesday’s exhilarating victory over Villa.
It will be a similar group to what we had against Villa, as I don’t think (players) will be returning,” Ten Hag stated.
You can see the spirit in them when you watch how they respond to Nuno Espirito Santo, the new manager. That’s something we need to prepare for, and we should always keep ourselves in mind.
“Remember, we did the same thing, so we need to carry on with the performance. They have the correct attitude and have gained confidence.”
After been included in Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, Andre Onana’s trip to the City Ground may mark his last United appearance for some time.
We’re in a conversational state right now,” Ten Hag continued.
“We are in communication with all the federations because we have strong ties with them; the issues are with Sofyan (Amrabat), Hannibal (Mejbri), and Andre.