Man Utd plan new contract talks with Erik ten Hag
- United plan extension as Dutchman approaches 18 months in charge
- Current deal runs until 2025 with an option for a further year
- Club fully backing Ten Hag despite difficult start and off-field issues
Manchester United are planning to open talks over a new contract for manager Erik ten Hag, 90min understands.
Ten Hag was appointed in 2022, and led United to a third placed finish in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup in his first season in charge. The new campaign has started with difficulty, with four defeats so far mixed with a number of issues off the pitch, though United have responded with two wins in a matter of days. They beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on Tuesday night.
The Dutchman is contracted to United until June 2025 with the option to extend for a further year, but it's understood that renewal talks were always pencilled in for around 18 months into the initial deal. The club's hierarchy intend to continue with them and have already touched base with Ten Hag's camp.
It has been 10 months since the Glazer family announced they were "commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives" with regards to investment in the club or a transfer of ownership, and the process has destabilised the club and its staff.
Chief Executive Richard Arnold has been given autonomy over processes since his appointment and is attempting to proceed as normal with regards to contract renewals for players and staff. Marcus Rashford signed a new long-term contract over the summer and it's understood Ten Hag is now in line for talks.
Arnold and John Murtough are understood to be very happy with Ten Hag and continue to give him their full backing - even in the wake of recent difficult results and issues off the pitch. They believe Ten Hag remains the right man to lead United forward and have recently displayed their backing of the 53-year-old in a fall out between the manager and Jadon Sancho.
Ten Hag recently admitted publicly that he was asked by the club to "set and control standards" because "there was no good culture" before he joined from Ajax. Those in power are fully behind the manager despite the huge investment made into Sancho in 2021 - in terms of transfer fee and wages.
Cristiano Ronaldo left the club following another public spat with Ten Hag in the last year, while Harry Maguire has also been stripped of the captaincy in recent months. Ten Hag is seen by the club as the central figure in providing unity and discipline for players and staff in the midst of uncertainty over the ownership of the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim remain in the picture to acquire United from the Glazer family, though they are still waiting on them for a response. Raine Group, who are responsible for overseeing the takeover on behalf of the family, are even waiting on the Glazers for further communication on the offers that have been made for United. They are believed to be holding out for £6bn for a full sale.
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