Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to install an executive team that can deliver his transfer targets this summer, sending a clear message that he expects to stay as manager.
It’s understood that Ineos remain undecided over Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford, but acknowledge he has been let down by a failing system at the club.
While Ten Hag privately accepts there are no guarantees over the future for him and his coaching staff until new director of football Dan Ashworth takes over, the Dutchman is under the impression that he will keep his job.
Ten Hag certainly sounded like a man planning for the long-term on Friday when he claimed to have a ‘perfect’ working relationship with Ineos, and called on them to put a new hierarchy in place as soon as possible.
Confirmation this week of the departure of United’s football director John Murtough, a key ally of Ten Hag who helped bring him to Old Trafford two years ago, has removed another link in the chain of command.
Man United manager Erik ten Hag has said he has a ‘perfect’ relationship with owners INEOS
The Dutchman urged his bosses to quickly appoint a replacement for director John Murtough
United have lined up Ashworth to replace Murtough and are hoping to agree compensation with Newcastle by the start of next month. They are also optimistic of concluding talks with Southampton over taking Jason Wilcox as technical director, but chief executive Omar Berrada will not be in position until the summer.
While it’s realistic to assume that all three men are already having some degree of input, Ten Hag wants the team to be fully operational to oversee United’s transfer business.
‘The plan is ready but we have to execute,’ he said. ‘I trust the new ownership will work as quickly as possible and bring new good structures, and they can execute.
‘Of course, I miss his (Murtough’s) support. He has moved on, and we worked very good together. I think it’s very important that the new ownership is working on this, to replace his function, to go into a new season.
‘As I said previously, I work with the new ownership very closely together. It doesn’t change the way I work here – perfect, still perfect. I am happy with that, but we want to set the right conditions to be successful.’
Ten Hag lauded United’s success in the transfer market since his arrival with players like Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez, but admitted that is likely to need another striker this summer as Anthony Martial prepares to leave as a free agent after not playing since December.
‘I think it would help,’ added the United manager ahead of Saturday evening’s clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
‘There is no doubt that we counted on him (Martial). You need two strikers in the league we’re in and the competitions. You need more options.
Ten Hag lauded United’s success in the transfer market with players like Rasmus Hojlund
The Dutchman also said that Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana is ‘doing very well’
‘We have good plans. You see now with recruitment: Onana is doing very well.. Rasmus Hojlund, everyone is seeing his big talent and potential.
‘Martinez, everyone was hugely happy with him and there are others. Recruitment is good.
‘But if they (Ashworth and Wilcox) have even better ideas, we are always open and always you have to judge. If you have options but they come with better options we are open. They have to fill us in.
‘But we have a way we want to play, so we know our profiles. It has to match the profiles we want.’
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