Erik ten Hag has spoken out on a potential takeover at Manchester United, with the club currently being up for sale.
It was announced last month that the Glazer family would be exploring the sale of United after 17 years as owners of the club.
The Americans are seeking outside investment, which is likely to result in full ownership being transferred. There has been speculation regarding which major companies or people may pursue the takeover of United, but nothing is set in stone yet and is unlikely to be until the new year.
Supporters were delighted at the news, as the Glazer family failed to ever significantly invest money into the club. When Sir Alex Ferguson left, so did United’s success, and there has been no effort from the Americans to revamp any part of United – even Old Trafford has never been renovated to keep up with the times.
It’s been hard for fans to witness the decline at a time when such close rivals Manchester City have been enjoying the most successful period in their history. Granted, it’s come from an oil rig in Abu Dhabi, but it still hasn’t made for pleasant viewing.
Ten Hag thinks the sale of United will be a positive thing, which is an exciting update as the Old Trafford faithful believe he is the man to bring trophies back to their beloved club, and he can get the backing he deserves from the hierarchy.
Ten Hag speaks out on United sale
Speaking to Andy Mitten of The Athletic, the Dutchman said: “My information is that it will only be good things, because there will be more investment possible, which is good. I look at the competition around the Premier League. They all have the opportunity to invest. It’s a tough competition between seven or eight clubs. That’s a change in circumstances when you compare five or 10 years ago – the competition is much tougher. Newcastle are coming, even West Ham, maybe not now in the table, but they have huge investment. Spurs definitely, and then City, Chelsea and Liverpool, I don’t need to talk about them. [You can] Quickly count seven or eight clubs that can compete in the league. Even at the bottom, I don’t see weak teams. They’re all strong. There’s no easy games.
“They [Newcastle] have done well. They did the right investments and that is what you have to value. Make the right environment and culture and he [Eddie Howe] has done really well.”
He relayed the Glazer family’s comments to chief executive Richard Arnold, who broke the news of the sale to the United boss, “He said they’re open and transparent. We spoke about the culture we want, we spoke about objectives, goals and the culture and he confirmed it won’t change, that it will be even better because more money will become available for this project.”
Regarding the American owners, who he has met twice since he took charge, he said, “I don’t speak to them that often but I’ve met them and I’ve spoken to them before I was appointed and when I was appointed. We spoke about how we will work together and how we are going to achieve our objectives. but the most contact is with Richard [Arnold].”
When asked if the Reds can compete with state-backed clubs, such as Newcastle and City, Ten Hag replied: “Yes, I think it’s also about strategy, not just money. It’s clear that when you don’t have the right players and quality players, you will not be successful and achieve the targets you set. The competition is really tough, so you need the right players.
“If we go back to where we started — unless everyone is unified, then you won’t achieve that; so in a way, you’re in a better situation now than you were because everybody is unified. We are moving in a better direction. But still, there is a lot of room for improvement.”
He was then questioned on if he was “proud” to have made such a quick impact in Manchester, as well as the instant relationship he built with fans. Ten Hag responded: “I am happy with the way the players perform and the fact they play as a team with the right spirit and the right mentality,” he says. “But there is always a battle to keep that progress going. It means keeping the high standards.
“I always say satisfaction makes you lazy. If you are too satisfied with yourself and the team, you will not maintain those high standards. It’s up to me to control that and set a good example. We have to live the high standards all the time and then we can compete with the best clubs in the Premier League and achieve our goals.”
