- Erik ten Hag wants Man United to install a team that can fulfill his transfer plans
- The message is clear: he hopes to continue as a coach, despite the rumors of departure.
- IAN LADYMAN and CHRIS SUTTON weigh in on the Premier League Player of the Year: Listen to the podcast Everything is Beginning
Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to install an executive team that can meet his transfer targets this summer, sending a clear message that he hopes to remain as manager.
Ineos is understood to remain undecided about Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford but admits he has been let down by a flawed system at the club.
Although Ten Hag privately accepts that 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 asked them to establish a new hierarchy as soon as possible.
Confirmation this week of the departure of United director of football 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 signed Ashworth to replace Murtough and hope to agree compensation with Newcastle early next month. They are also optimistic about concluding talks with Southampton over bringing in Jason Wilcox as technical director, but chief executive Omar Berrada will not take up the role until the summer.
While it is realistic to assume that all three men already have 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 it,” he said. ‘I am confident that the new owners will work as quickly as possible and bring in good new structures that they can execute.
‘Of course, I miss his (Murtough’s) support. He has moved on and we work very well together. I think it is very important that the new ownership is working on this, to replace its function, to start a new season.
‘As I said previously, I work very closely with the new owners. That doesn’t change the way I work here: perfect, still perfect. “I’m happy with that, but we want to set the right conditions to be successful.”
Ten Hag praised United’s success in the transfer market since his arrival with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Lisandro Martínez, but admitted they are 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,” the United manager added ahead of Saturday night’s game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
‘There is no doubt that we are counting on him (Martial). Two forwards are needed in the league we are in and in the competitions. You need more options.
Ten Hag praised United’s success in the transfer market with players such as Rasmus Hojlund
The Dutchman also stated that Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana is doing “very well”
‘We have good plans. Now you see with recruiting: Onana is doing very well. Rasmus Hojlund, everyone is seeing the great talent and potential in him.
‘Martínez, everyone was very happy with him and there are others. Recruitment is good.
‘But if they (Ashworth and Wilcox) have even better ideas, we’re always open and always judgmental. If you have options but they come with better options, we are open. They have to inform us.
‘But we have a way we want to play, that’s why we know our profiles. “It has to match the profiles we want.”
