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.
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“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.
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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
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.
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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.
You can watch the highlights from United’s comeback against Villa down here.
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Sean Dyche sends the five of us on a mission in our new single What Can I Say (After I’m Sorry) out Wednesday 1st May ⏰ pic.twitter.com/WcDdfgAD1m
Sean Dyche stars as the boss in the music video for Blossoms’ latest single, ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry?’ As you do.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.
So, Erling Haaland is now a character in Clash of Clans… 👀
Bit random, we know, but it's a funny little trailer. 😅
Featured Images — Blossoms (via YouTube)/Virgin EMI
Sport
Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
We're saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Ian Mellor.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.
Danny Jones -
27th December 2023 
