Would-be Manchester United owner Thomas Zilliacus has lauded "brilliant manager" Erik ten Hag, particularly praising his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo 's acrimonious exit.
Ten Hag has impressed in his first season at the helm, ending the Red Devils' six-year trophy drought and putting them on course for a return to the Champions League. Ronaldo's high-profile exit saga threatened to derail United's campaign before the World Cup break, but Ten Hag and co have only gotten stronger since.
Finnish tech businessman Zilliacus wants to become the club's next owner and enjoy the fruits of the Dutch boss' labour, battling fellow billionaires Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani for the keys to Old Trafford. While Ratcliffe has shaken hands with Ten Hag, Zilliacus is the first bidder to speak publicly about how Ten Hag is doing, as he awaits to learn the outcome of his offer.
