(Reuters) – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he does not need assurances about his job security from new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe amidst uncertainty about his future. He emphasized that his focus remains on ensuring the club continues to progress and improve.
Ten Hag was appointed in 2022 and led United to a third-place finish in the Premier League and the League Cup title in his first season. However, their current campaign has been marked by inconsistent performances and injuries, with the team currently in sixth place after a 2-1 league loss to Fulham.
The defeat, coming shortly after Ratcliffe’s pledge to restore United to their former glory, has intensified the scrutiny and pressure on Ten Hag.
When asked if it would help the club if Ratcliffe publicly confirmed Ten Hag as the long-term manager of United, the Dutchman responded to reporters, “I have a three-season contract, so it doesn’t matter to me.”
“I am focused on the process and don’t pay attention to what is happening around me,” Ten Hag added, speaking before a fifth-round FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
“I have had many discussions with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, as well as with Sir Dave Brailsford and others in the group, so I understand our conversations and have confidence that they believe in me,” Ten Hag said. “My goal is to win every game, focusing on team progress and the upcoming match, while also considering the future and working together.”
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry)
