Ten Hag in Ratcliffe's plans should deal go through

Ten Hag in Ratcliffe’s plans should deal go through – source،

Rob Dawson, correspondentOctober 16, 2023, 11:43 a.m.

Erik Ten Hag will be assured he is part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans for Manchester United if the British billionaire reaches a deal to manage the club’s sports team, a source has told ESPN.

Ratcliffe, the founder of chemicals company INEOS, hopes to secure a 25% stake in return for an investment worth around £1.3 billion ($1.58 billion).

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)

He wants to have influence over football operations but, according to a source, the proposed changes would not include replacing Ten Hag.

The Dutchman led United to third place in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup in his first season in charge.

Despite a poor start to the current campaign in which United have lost six of their 11 matches in all competitions, INEOS’ preference is to keep Ten Hag as manager.

United are expected to hold a board meeting on Thursday when a deal with Ratcliffe and INEOS could be finalized.

Ratcliffe, according to a source, is aware that his offer to buy a minority stake could prove unpopular with fans because it would keep the owners, the Glazer family, at the club.

He hopes that by acquiring 25% of the club it will open the door to a full takeover in time, but, at least in the short term, the Glazers will retain their majority.

Supporters were desperate for the Glazers’ 18-year ownership to end when it was announced in November that the American family might sell, but on Saturday it was revealed that Sheikh Jassim’s unique bid for 100% control of the club had been removed.

The Qatari businessman withdrew from the process last week, citing the Glazers’ “fanciful” valuation as the main reason.

Sheikh Jassim’s final offer was worth around £5 billion, around £1 billion less than the Glazers’ asking price. If Ratcliffe succeeds, he is expected to announce ambitious plans for United’s future in a bid to quell any unrest among supporters. The proposals are likely to include a plan to redevelop Old Trafford which could see capacity increased from 76,000 to 90,000.