Erik ten Hag reveals his role in Man Utd takeover talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe
- Ratcliffe is looking to finalise a minority takeover of United
- INEOS founder agreed terms of a deal after Sheikh Jassim withdrew from process
- Ten Hag remains focused on football
By Tom Gott
Erik ten Hag has admitted he has no idea over the status of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's proposed minority takeover of Manchester United as he is not involved in the process.
Ratcliffe has agreed the terms of a deal which will see him purchase 25% of the club's shares with a view to a complete takeover from the Glazer family further down the line, although the final details of the agreement still need to be finalised.
The INEOS founder, whose company current own French side Nice, is keen to take a hands-on role at United and has drawn up plans for a leadership committee to manage the club's business dealings.
Talks remain on behind the scenes, with an agreement not yet advanced enough to be voted on by the club's shareholders, but there is confidence Ratcliffe will eventually complete his minority takeover of the club.
Asked whether he has any knowledge of the negotiations, Ten Hag insisted his job is simply to manage football matches.
"No [he has not been kept informed]," Ten Hag said. "So I'm not involved in this, others in the club are dealing with this.
"I'm focusing on my team, focusing on the current block and the most important priority is the next game. It's all about that."
90min understands that Ratcliffe hopes to be part of a three-person leadership committee alongside Sir Dave Brailsford, director of sport for INEOS, and Joel Glazer, current United co-chairman.
The 71-year-old plans to call on his years of experience in the sporting field and is also keen to surround himself with expertise. Former Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell is among the names under consideration for the new-look board.
Ratcliffe adjusted his initial bid to buy the club to give the Glazers a chance to remain at Old Trafford but has made it clear that he still desires a full takeover and is seeking assurances about the purchase of future shares of the club.
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