Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed his desire for new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be mindful of the progress the club has made under his leadership. Ratcliffe, along with his INEOS team, has initiated several changes at Old Trafford, such as appointing Omar Berrarda as CEO and targeting key recruitment roles for Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox.
Ten Hag, who has a contract until 2025, emphasized the importance of continuity and not disrupting the positive trajectory the club is on. He highlighted the development of young players within the squad and stressed the need to build upon the current momentum.
Despite a challenging season for United, Ten Hag remains optimistic about the team's future. He acknowledged the difficulty of securing Champions League qualification but reiterated the team's commitment to striving for success in every game.
United's recent draw against Brentford further complicated their chances of finishing in the top four, with injuries adding to their woes. Players like Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, and Victor Lindelöf have been sidelined, contributing to over 50 absences due to injury or illness throughout the season.
Ten Hag acknowledged the impact of these setbacks on the team's performance, emphasizing the importance of having a consistent lineup to maintain high levels of play. Despite the challenges, he remains determined to fight for every point and uphold the standards set within the club.
With nine league games remaining, United faces an uphill battle to close the gap on rivals like Aston Villa and Tottenham. Ten Hag's resilience and belief in the team's capabilities will be crucial as they strive to finish the season on a positive note.