Manchester United

Erik ten Hag insists he has the support of Sir Jim Ratcliffe

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 29 December 2023

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag says that the INEOS Group 'want to work with him' amid the ongoing rumours surrounding his future.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that the INEOS Group 'want to work with him'.

On Christmas Eve, it was confirmed that INEOS, who are owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had agreed to purchase 25% of Man United, with the deal expected to be ratified by the Premier League towards the end of January.

INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford was in the stands for the team's 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, but Ten Hag has revealed that he is holding discussions with the INEOS Group.

The Dutchman's future as manager continues to be called into question, with Man United suffering 13 defeats already during the 2023-24 campaign.

However, Ten Hag is confident that he has the support of Ratcliffe, and it is understood that the British billionaire has no desire to make changes at this moment in time.

Ineos sporting director Dave Brailsford is pictured in the stands at half time on December 26, 2023 © Reuters

"As you said, the schedule is so condensed, so I haven't had the time so far to speak with them, but it will come, and I look forward [to it]," Ten Hag told reporters during Friday's press conference, with the Dutchman preparing for Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

"They want to work with me, and I want to work with them. We will have the conversations, the meetings, so we will see.

"I'm focused on the games so far. So, as I said, in this moment, I don't want to have distractions but in the coming days, weeks, there will be time for this and then I will know more.

"But I think it's a good thing, it's very positive, we are really looking forward to working together. INEOS wants to work with me, with this infrastructure, and I want to work with them."

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023 © Reuters

Man United came from two goals behind to beat Villa 3-2 in the league on Boxing Day, with Rasmus Hojlund registering his first goal in England's top flight after a long wait.

Hojlund netted five times in the group stage of the Champions League, though, and Ten Hag insisted that he never doubted the Denmark international's ability to find the back of the net.

"I have to repeat myself, I trust him. I know his goals in the Champions League showed what he did as a young player in Denmark, in Austria, in Italy and he is a very strong character," said the manager.

"But, of course, this goal will give him confidence and belief that he is going to score, and he is going to score more goals from this point on."

Man United have won 10, drawn one and lost eight of their 19 Premier League matches this season to collect 31 points, which has left them in seventh position in the table.