Erik ten hag says he ‘can’t go into detail’ about contract discussions with Sir Jim Ratcliffe but reveals he has discussed ‘many subjects’ with the new Manchester United investor

Erik ten Hag refused to talk about what he and new Manchester United investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe have discussed in private conversations following the British billionaire’s 25 per cent stake in the club.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have been given control of sporting operations at United by the Glazer family – who still own the majority of the club – and are already making changes behind the scenes.

Ten Hag has held talks with both Ratcliffe and his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford in recent weeks, with Omar Berrada also being appointed as the new United chief executive.

The United head coach has struggled to get the best out of his team during his second season in charge with the Red Devils 10 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool and eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages.

United travel to League Two Newport on Sunday hoping to keep their FA Cup dream alive in the fourth round encounter at Rodney Parade.

Ten Hag did admit that himself and Ratcliffe have conversed over ‘many subjects’ but insisted he couldn’t go into the details

Speaking ahead of the match, Ten Hag revealed he has discussed ‘many subjects’ with Ratcliffe but insisted the details of talks would remain between the pair.

‘We speak about many subjects but I can’t go into detail, especially when it is so personal,’ he said. 

‘First, the most important thing is the club. It’s about the club, about the team and how we have to work to high standards to achieve our targets. It’s not about any individual person.’ 

‘When you’re involved in top-level football I think you know that you have to prove yourself every day – and that counts for everyone who is working for this club,’ the manager said.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS team have gained sporting operations at United with Ten Hag currently serving as first-team manager

Ten Hag has faced questions over United’s failures this season after an impressive debut campaign in charge last year, but again admitted that the club is currently on a ‘project’ to improve.

Distractions off the pitch related to Ratcliffe’s investment in the club have ran alongside the team’s struggles, but Ten Hag described any future scenarios regarding Premier League title success as ‘hypothetical’.

‘It’s difficult to say – it’s hypothetical, and so it doesn’t make sense to talk about this,’ he added.

‘[Instead] talk about where we are in the current situation, the actuality, but beware that you are in the project and that we have to follow the process.