Manchester United

Erik ten Hag meets Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United's training ground

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 March 2023

Erik ten Hag meets Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Man United's training ground

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag met the club's potential new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the Carrington training complex on Friday morning.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has revealed that he met the club's potential new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the Carrington training complex on Friday morning.

Ratcliffe and his team were present at Old Trafford early in the morning before travelling to Carrington, with the British billionaire meeting senior club officials to discuss a potential purchase.

Ten Hag has said that he was introduced to Ratcliffe before holding his press conference to preview Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham at Old Trafford.

"I just met them, we shake hands, I'm focused on the game, we play a big game on Sunday, all our focus is on that, others in the club are dealing with potential investors," the Dutchman told reporters.

Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives for the annual Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo on July 18, 2022 © Reuters

"My job in this moment is to focus on the game so let's talk about the game, it's a big tie and we have to get ready for that."

Ratcliffe has made an offer of £4.5bn for Man United, with the billionaire currently in direct competition with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani over the purchase of the club.

Sheikh Jassim's representatives met with club officials on Thursday, and it is believed that the Qatari banker is looking to purchase the full 100% of the club.

Ratcliffe, on the other hand, is only thought to be looking to take on the 69% currently owned by the Glazers, while it is believed that his offer does not include clearing the debt.

Man United bidders have allegedly been informed that they have 10 days to submit new offers, with the Glazer family unlikely to drop their asking price below £5bn.

The offers, if they are made, will be directed to Raine Group - the US bank working for the Glazers on a sale.

Jim Ratcliffe pictured in September 2021 © Reuters

Sheikh Jassim is also said to be preparing a second offer, with the banker emerging as the favourite to acquire the club, with a deal potentially going through before the start of June.

Man United have been drawn to face Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and Ten Hag reacted to Friday's draw during his press conference.

"Back to Sevilla and as you say a very good record we have to be aware of it. It is going to be tough, they are very experienced in the Europa League, won it so many times so I don't know the team in detail but for me the most important is football and I don't look forward to Seville," he said.

"First we have international break and then three Premier League games so there is much time to focus on that so definitely so all the opponents are coming to this stage of Europa League they are strong and you have to play your best football if you want to go through."

Man United recorded a 1-0 win over Real Betis in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League clash on Thursday evening to secure a 5-1 aggregate success.