Erik ten Hag has pledged to “fight” for further Manchester United improvements this summer as he develops a plan for more growth despite the ongoing takeover uncertainty.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a hugely encouraging first season under their popular Dutch boss, returning to the Premier League’s top four and next season’s Champions League courtesy of a third-placed domestic finish.
United also ended their six-year trophy drought with victory over top-four rivals Newcastle at Wembley in February, later reaching the FA Cup final before being narrowly edged out by Treble-chasing enemies Manchester City on Saturday.
Ten Hag has achieved such impressive progress against the backdrop of so much uncertainty over the ownership situation at Old Trafford, with still no preferred bidder to buy the club from the Glazer family announced.
Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani are the two parties left in the race to take over at United, with reports over recent days that the latter could submit a fifth bid in order to win the race.
It is hardly an ideal situation from which to approach a crucial summer transfer window, which opens next week with United in need of key upgrades - particularly up front - in order to continue their progress.
Quizzed on the takeover again after United’s agonising FA Cup loss, Ten Hag told reporters at Wembley: "I have only one plan: that is to improve this club and to improve this team. I will fight for [it]. I have my ideas and I already told the club what we have to do for that.
"But I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better next season. I think in this moment, I don't want to discuss [the takeover]. It's about finalising the season.
"We have to be quiet, analysing the season, going to the depth, set the right conclusions, and then take action. It's about that.
"The process, during the season, we are continually making considerations, actions into process. But now the season is finished, the conclusion overall is we played a brilliant season.
"It's not about the gap in the summer, it's not about getting players in and they do well. It's about we work all season and day by day to develop the team, progress the team.
"I'm very proud where we came from at the start of the season. Remember Brentford and the Etihad also. Now, we showed today against City the home win was not a coincidence and, on another day, we could win this game."
