Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly ready to quit the club at the end of the season if he is not given certain assurances by new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The Brit, who is set to quickly travel to Wembley after completing the London Marathon for the Red Devils’ FA Cup semi-final against Coventry on Sunday, now calls the shots at Old Trafford and continues to overhaul the club.
The Mirror claim that without a vote of confidence from the INEOS chief, Ten Hag is prepared to walk out of United amid an increasingly uncertain future, following a below-par campaign by United’s standards.
The Dutchman believes that he and Ratcliffe are on the “same page” but the 71-year-old is yet to give Ten Hag his public backing since being confirmed as co-owner, when his 27.7 per cent stake was ratified by the Premier League in February.
Without assurances of a long-term future at the club, Ten Hag is willing to leave despite having another year remaining on his current contract. Ten Hag had been given freedom over recruitment under the previous regime, though the expected arrival of Dan Ashworth alongside CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox could restrict his role going forward.
Winning the FA Cup likely represents Ten Hag’s best chance of keeping his job after disappointing Premier League and Champions League campaigns, though the boss insisted that he was not thinking about his future ahead of the semi-final with Championship outfit Coventry.
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“I don’t put energy into this, if I’m judged fairly or not,” Ten Hag said. “I know what we are doing here, why I’m here, to bring trophies, to also create economic value, so we are working on those and in a process you have setbacks.
“I look at this and can see it realistically, so I see the nuance, some comments miss that, but I can’t be bothered about it, can’t go into emotions. I see it realistic, rationale, and I’m only focussing on my team, to improve the team and individuals. That’s what I’m here for. I don’ have any concern about what is said on the outside.”
United sit 13 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the table after Ratcliffe stressed that it was imperative for the Red Devils to be playing Champions League football next year.
Silverware may win over Ratcliffe, but they will have to overcome Coventry with only one fit centre-back, as Harry Maguire is thought to be the only recognised option available for Ten Hag at Wembley. Manchester City await Sunday’s victor in the final.
