Erik ten Hag says his talks with the new Manchester United minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and his Ineos team were “very positive”. The manager met the billionaire on Wednesday after Ratcliffe took over football operations.
It is anticipated Ratcliffe will make a number of changes, recruitment being a key focus as a potential restructure looms, although Ten Hag would not be drawn on specifics as he prepares for Monday’s FA Cup third-round clash at Wigan.
“Very positive, I have to say,” Ten Hag said of the meeting. “So many hours we sit together. On many issues we were on the same page. I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.”
More talks are likely in the coming weeks and Sir Dave Brailsford, the Ineos director of sport, has been at the training ground this week. Ten Hag said: “We have to let it settle down. They’re just coming in, introducing themselves. They have good ideas; we have to see what we can integrate. In togetherness we will work but after one day you can’t tell that. They have given me a few [ideas], we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together.”
Ten Hag indicated the plan to keep André Onana until the eve of Cameroon’s first game at the Africa Cup of Nations was based on the fact that United had not expected the goalkeeper to go to the tournament when they signed him. Onana had made himself unavailable for international selection when he joined from Internazionale in the summer before reversing his decision and he is keen to show loyalty to United by playing as many games as possible.
“It was an issue during the talks with André when he came in here,” said Ten Hag, who described discussions with Cameroon’s football federation as constructive.
Ten Hag confirmed United had triggered contract extensions for Victor Lindelöf, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Hannibal Mejbri. One player set to leave is Jadon Sancho, who is closing on a return to Borussia Dortmund, with United anticipating the loan deal being concluded without issue.
