Romano drops Man Utd bomb: Huge deal to be completed 'today or tomorrow'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 25 Jun 2024 15:51 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United are expected to reach an agreement with Erik ten Hag on his new contract in the next 24 hours, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils hierarchy shocked the football world a few weeks ago when they decided to keep Ten Hag on board. After all, the Dutchman had just overseen Man Utd's worst league campaign in over 30 years by leading them to a measly eighth-placed finish.

Many expected that even the FA Cup triumph over Man City wouldn't be enough to keep Ten Hag in the job, but new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS allies decided that it would make little sense to make a change given the dearth of viable alternatives.

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It took them a while to reach this decision, however, and this has hampered the Red Devils' summer business, as has the club's restricted budget. Top attacking target Michael Olise is set to join Bayern Munich, while top defensive target Jarrad Branthwaite is likely too expensive.

Nevertheless, Ratcliffe is keen to kickstart Man Utd's summer business before the start of pre-season in early July. However, before bringing in new players, he will seal a major deal of a different kind.

Ten Hag deal close

When INEOS' initial decision to keep Ten Hag leaked, it was also revealed that they would look to tie the Dutchman down to a new contract, with his current deal expiring next year.

Ten Hag then later confirmed the talks during an appearance on Dutch TV and, according to Fabrizio Romano, the final stages of the negotiations have now been entered, with Man Utd and the coach expected to reach an agreement imminently.

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"Meetings are taking place between today and tomorrow to complete the new contract of Erik ten Hag," Romano said on his YouTube channel. "The agreement is almost done, the agreement is imminent and so Erik ten Hag is set to sign a new deal at Man Utd."

"Some sources say it could be two additional years to his contract, so making in total a three-year deal, but in any case, I can guarantee that between today and tomorrow with new meetings Man Utd and Erik ten Hag are set to complete the agreement over a new deal."

Romano also confirmed that Ten Hag will reshuffle his coaching staff, with club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy "getting closer to signing on as a new Man Utd coaching staff member, as a new assist of Erik ten Hag."