Manchester United

Erik ten Hag: 'INEOS will lift standards at Manchester United'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 January 2024

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says that the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford will raise the standards at the club.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is certain that the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority shareholder at Old Trafford will see the standards raised at the club.

On Christmas Eve, it was announced that Ratcliffe, via his INEOS group, had agreed to purchase 25% of Man United, and the deal is expected to be ratified by the Premier League within the next three weeks.

Ratcliffe was present at Old Trafford for Man United's last match against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, and the British billionaire is planning to make big changes to the football department at the club.

Omar Berrada has already been confirmed as the club's new CEO, completing a high-profile move to the 20-time English champions from Manchester City.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on December 23, 2023 © Reuters

The transfer policy at Old Trafford is also set to change, while it is understood that representatives of INEOS will speak publicly in early February once the deal has been ratified by the Premier League.

Ten Hag's future as head coach is likely to be on the agenda, and it is thought that he will be given until at least the end of the campaign to prove himself to the new minority shareholder.

The Dutchman was asked about INEOS once again during his press conference to preview Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round contest with League Two side Newport County.

Ten Hag said that standards at the club "have to change", and he is confident that Ratcliffe's team "can have a big impact" moving forward.

Manchester United co owner Jim Ratcliffe is seen in the stands before the match on January 14, 2024 © Reuters

"It gives spirit in this whole club, everyone notices this club is going into a period of changes and it's because we want to achieve high targets, standards have to change, we started with this one-and-a-half year ago," Ten Hag told reporters during his press conference on Friday.

"I'm sure INEOS and me are very aligned on this, we understand we have to change, we started that process last season with the dressing room but also many departments.

"I am very happy to raise the standards, to collaborate more and INEOS can have a big impact on that."

Any January deals have to be run past Ratcliffe and his team, but Ten Hag said on Friday that the club would not be signing a new striker before the winter deadline due to financial restrictions.