Erik ten Hag is reportedly ready to back Sir Jim Ratcliffe if the Englishman is successful in buying a minority stake in Manchester United, as per the Daily Mail.
There were significant breakthroughs in the United sale process over the weekend; on Saturday, Qatar-based Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani withdrew his interest after his latest bid was rejected by the Glazers.
This subsequently led to Ratcliffe taking a pole position in his proposal of acquiring a 25 per cent stake, which he hopes to build on and over time, gain full ownership.
United’s board will meet on Thursday to discuss the latest developments and ratify Ratcliffe’s bid.
Ten Hag furious over recruitment strategies
In regards to footballing matters, Ten Hag has grown frustrated at the club’s recruitment throughout his time in the dugout. There has been a ‘lack of clarity over targets and budgets, limited data and a habit of over-paying for players’.
It is unconfirmed whether the manager has spoken directly with Ratcliffe, but Mail Sport states that the pair are already well-acquainted due to the businessman’s ownership of Ligue 1 outfit Nice. They also met back in March at Carrington during the INEOS CEO’s tour of United’s facilities.
Mail adds: “Ten Hag is likely to be enthusiastic about Ratcliffe’s proposed investment, with his £1.3billion offer expected to be ratified at a Board meeting on Thursday, due to Ineos’ track record in raising standards in football, cycling and sailing.”