Ten Hag to make Ratcliffe demand that won’t go down well with Man Utd owner

Robin Bairner

• 3 Jan 2024 06:32 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is ready to make a demand of new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that is likely to be looked upon dimly by the incoming investor in the club.

Ratcliffe is set to take control of the sporting part of Man Utd from the Glazer brothers and wants to revamp the backroom and recruitment staff at Old Trafford.

Although his intention to buy a 25% stake in the club has been confirmed, it is in the process of being ratified, which could take some weeks.

Once Ratcliffe has his feet under the desk, though, ESPN reports that Ten Hag is set to tell the new owner that he wants to retain an influence in the decision-making process when it comes to signings.

The former Ajax boss has had a large influence in this domain since taking charge of the club 18 months ago and was the driving force behind Man Utd paying €95 million for Antony – one of several deals that the incoming investor has baulked at.

Ten Hag goes rogue

ESPN reports, though, that Ten Hag has the transfer veto written into his contract, giving him some sway in the short term. The source reports that “he expects the clause to be honoured despite a change of personnel at the top of the football department”.

Ratcliffe, along with Dave Brailsford, who is director of sport at INEOS, could remove the problem by relieving Ten Hag of his duties – which is a distinct possibility due to his inability to get consistent performance from the team.

Brailsford has already been in attendance for Man Utd’s two matches since the takeover was announced – a stirring 3-2 victory over Aston Villa and a lame 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest.

Ten Hag’s contract may protect him in the short term but taking a militant approach to his role in transfers is only likely to see him wind up in a battle with Ratcliffe and Brailsford that he cannot win.