Man United manager Erik ten Hag tries to stay out of ownership talks and stay focused on the team
The Hindu
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is doing his best to stay focused on the field despite the club's potential sale. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is bidding for a 25% stake and wants to oversee soccer operations. Ten Hag won the League Cup last season but this year has been tough with six losses in 11 games.
With the ownership of Manchester United up in the air and the team struggling early in the Premier League season, manager Erik ten Hag is doing his best to keep his focus on the field and out of the boardroom.
Ignoring the noise surrounding the club's potential sale isn't easy, however, with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe looking to become a minority shareholder alongside the Glazer family.
If the Ineos owner's bid is successful, he could also take control of United's soccer operations.
“I’m not involved in this. Others in the club are dealing with this," Ten Hag said Friday. “I am focusing on my team, I’m focusing on the coming block (of games), and I am focusing on the most important priority, the next game — it’s all about that.”
The Dutch coach met with Ratcliffe when an Ineos delegation took a tour of United's stadium and training center in March as part of the sale process.
Ratcliffe is bidding for a 25% stake in United and wants to oversee the the sporting side of the business, a person with knowledge of his proposal told The Associated Press.
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