Ten Hag opens up on crunch Sir Jim Ratcliffe meeting as he fights to prove he is right man to lead Man Utd in new era

ERIK TEN HAG said he is ‘on the same page’ as new Manchester United shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe after several hours of talks this week.

The Ineos billionaire has taken a 25 per cent share of the Red Devils and will have control of the football operations. 

He visited the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday – while his sporting director Dave Brailsford has also been there.

Ten Hag felt the meeting was “very positive” and they have common ideas on many issues currently surrounding the club.

The Dutch boss has overseen a disappointing start to the season for the Red Devils – leading to speculation he could be facing the axe.

But he is confident he will be given the chance to turn things around now the boyhood United fan is in charge.

Asked how the talks had gone, he said: “Very positive, I have to say.

“We had a long meeting, for many hours we sat together.

“On many issues, we were on the same page, very positive from both sides,

“I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.”

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Ten Hag was asked to elaborate on what the ideas were, but said: “I think it’s very early and also we have to let it settle down.

“They’re just coming in, introducing themselves, they have good ideas, we have to see what we can integrate.

“We will work in togetherness but after one day you can’t tell that.

“They have given me a few ideas, we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together.”

Ten Hag, meanwhile, has confirmed the club have taken up the option to extend the contracts of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Hannibal Mejbri by a further 12 months.

However, he added they remain in talks with Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial over their futures.

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INEOS head honcho Ratcliffe is set to inject a whopping £238million into United and hopes to oversee a return to the club’s glory years.

He said: “As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club.

“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.

“We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.

“We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion.

“We are committed to working with everyone at the club – the Board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the club forward.

“Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”

Manchester United will be back in action on Monday, travelling to the DW Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup third-round clash.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk