Ten Hag To Ratcliffe: ‘Don’t Interrupt This Process’

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, has issued a caution to new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, advising him not to disrupt the progress the club has achieved under his leadership.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS team are implementing several changes at Old Trafford, including appointing Omar Berrarda as CEO and targeting Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox for key recruitment roles.

Despite a challenging season that has jeopardized Ten Hag’s position, the manager, whose contract runs until 2025, has expressed his desire to continue leading the team, emphasizing the importance of not interrupting the ongoing development process.

Manchester United’s recent 1-1 draw with Brentford has further dimmed their Champions League qualification hopes, with Ten Hag acknowledging the difficulty of catching up to Aston Villa and Tottenham.

The team is also grappling with injury issues, having faced over 50 separate absences due to injury or illness, which Ten Hag believes has significantly impacted their season.

Speaking ahead of his team’s fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Ten Hag said “I think you need to follow the process.”

“We have good young players coming through. They are developing very well in their progress. We are in a good way, a good direction and we need to make the next steps. Don’t interrupt this process.”

“I have high standards and I would be disappointed if we didn’t qualify [for the Champions League].”

“I know it will be very difficult because we are not in a good position. But we want to win every game, that is the standard we have here among each other. We will keep going and keep believing in those standards. That will be the approach in every game. We will keep fighting until the end. I know we are not in a good position. We have to catch up.”

“I know we have had a lot of problems so I am a realistic man.”

“In a competition that is so competitive and the teams are so close in terms of levels with each other then also you need the players to be available.

“If you have to make compromises your levels will drop, you will drop points. If you play in a consistent team your levels will go up. When you bring in the best players in your squad you will collect more points and that is a fact so I will be realistic but nevertheless I will keep fighting in every game.”