LONDON: Less than a week after British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe became a minority shareholder in Manchester United, manager Erik ten Hag is focused on the next game against Nottingham Forest and is undaunted by the latest developments.
The Dutchman has yet to speak to anyone from Ratcliffe’s INEOS group as he is busy over the Christmas period, which saw United beat Aston Villa 3-2 on Tuesday and then face Forest at home early tomorrow morning.
“I am looking forward to it. They want to work with me, I want to work with them, we will discuss, meet,” Ten Hag told reporters referring to the INEOS group which will take over the day-to-day affairs of the club’s football operations.
“I’m focused on the match so far, so I said no (discussion). At this point I don’t want any distractions. In the next few days, next weeks, there will be time for us, then we can negotiate.
“I think it’s a good thing, it’s very positive. We’re really looking forward to working together. INEOS wants to work with me in this structure and I want to work with them.”
The manager is also waiting for players to return from injury but not for the visit to Forest.
“It’s the same squad as against Villa,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“In mid-January we expect a lot of injured players back. Mason (Mount), Casemiro, (Lisandro) Martinez, (Tyrell) Malacia, so we also expect Harry Maguire, of course.”
At mid-season, United were seventh in the league, 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Despite their injury problems, United came from 2-0 down to beat Villa, something Ten Hag was very pleased about.
United face Forest, fresh from a 3-1 win over Newcastle United at home on Tuesday, in the second game under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.