Sport

Erik ten Hag says he’s ‘looking forward’ to working with Sir Jim Ratcliffe following INEOS investment

It was all positive news for Man United fans this festive period.

Danny Jones - 27th December 2023

Erik ten Hag has finally responded to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% purchase of Manchester United Football Club, stating that he is “looking forward” to working with the new minority shareholder.

News of the investment from Ratcliffe and the INEOS group was finally confirmed on Christmas Eve after a long period of radio silence and more than a year of uncertainty since the club was first put up for sale by the Glazer family.

That being said, regarding the manager and his squad, all eyes were on getting back to winning ways following a poor run of form and a painful goal drought for the fans, and they managed to do just that with a vintage Man United comeback with a festive 3-2 victory over high-flying Aston Villa.

Speaking in a positive post-match for a change, ten Hag now shared his reaction following the arrival of Sir Jim and the new part-owners, assuring that despite the impressive turnaround on the pitch on Boxing Day, he doesn’t believe the long drawn-out process “had an impact on the players” at all.

ten Hag reacts to Jim Ratcliffe completing his purchase of a minority stake in Manchester United.

The Dutchman went on to insist, “I was kept informed during the whole process, first from Richard Arnold [who left the club back in November], later on from Patrick Stewart [his new interim replacement as CEO], so I knew what was going on.

“We’re looking forward [to it]. I think it’s positive for the club that they’re stepping in. They have a lot of experience in sport on the highest level: F1, [the INEOS Grenadiers] cycling team, other football clubs [OGC Nice, so it can only help and support us to catch our targets… They want to work with us, and we want to work with them.”

The Failsworth-born billionaire is yet to have his deal finalised by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) but once it is fully ratified, it is said the 71-year-old and his team will be given total control over all footballing matters.

While a 100% takeover would have obviously been the ideal situation for United fans, the first impressions following an open letter to the supporters — believed to have been penned by Ratcliffe himself — have on the whole been very positive.

First impressions count. Very different from the way the Glazers did it. We are told it was written by Sir Jim himself, with no comms help. One step at a time, but promising. #mufc

Feeling so heady right now I'm putting a ton on a 3-0 win. 😄 (not really!) https://t.co/uEg5zPeL73
— JD Deitch (@MUSTChair) December 26, 2023

As the letter goes on to detail, Sir Jim says he believes his administration can bring “success on the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success that the club has enjoyed”, but adds that “it will require time and patience alongside rigour and the highest level of professional management.

The much-needed Premier League win was just the start all parties concerned would have been hoping for to kick off the new era of joint ownership and the perfect way to round out what has obviously been a very turbulent year for the Red Devils.

With Ratcliffe reported to be investing over £1.3 billion into the club, including around £237m set aside to improve Old Trafford and surrounding infrastructure, it could be a very different second half of the season and 2024 onward.

The home side already showed more of what the fans are after on the pitch on Tuesday, with youngster Alejandro Garnacho spurring on a remarkable second half and Rasmus Højlund dubbing himself the “happiest man alive” following his first league goal.