Man Utd takeover: Ratcliffe makes managerial decision

Stuart Telford

• 5 Nov 2023 13:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to keep faith with manager Erik ten Hag once he is installed as a Manchester United stakeholder, according to a report.

INEOS chief Ratcliffe, owner of Ligue 1 club Nice and once the UK's richest man, has had his £1.4 billion bid for 25 per cent of Man Utd accepted by the Glazer family.

Once everything is ratified, the 71-year-old will be in charge of 'sporting matters' at Old Trafford, and speculation has been rife that he would throw his weight around.

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Graham Potter is a manager he tried to recruit for Nice when the coach's Chelsea tenure came to an end, and more recently Ratcliffe has been linked with a move for the man who succeeded Potter at Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi.

But Ten Hag can breathe easy for now, according to The Mirror.

Ten Hag to be given time

"Sources close to the beleaguered Dutchman now believe that prospective new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not yet made recruiting a new manager a priority," reports their chief football writer, Simon Mullock.

"Ratcliffe also feels that Ten Hag can turn the team's fortunes around IF he is given time and the support of a more efficient recruitment operation."

READ: Man Utd greenlight extraordinary Antony swap deal

Ten Hag led United to the EFL Cup and a Champions League finish in his first season with the Red Devils, but they have made an abject start to the current campaign, with Saturday's win over Fulham their first after back-to-back defeats in all competitions.

United are set for another active transfer window in January despite spending nearly £180 million on new players last summer.

Flamengo and Brazil striker Batigol is the latest to be linked with a move, with Antony potentially going the other way on loan, but Ratcliffe will have his own ideas once installed.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Khephren Thuram - two Nice starlets - are among those who could be more likely arrivals.