Erik ten Hag says Manchester United 'very aligned' with Ineos, wants club to 'prove ambitions' as takeover nears

Erik ten Hag says he can “feel the ambition” of new Manchester United owners Ineos and it is up to the players to prove they are on the same level.

Ineos CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe is close to finalising a deal to take a 25% stake in the club.

Ratcliffe has been busy even before the move has been completed, bringing in Omar Berrada from Manchester City as chief executive and reportedly looking to appoint Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth as sporting director.

There have also been reports that Ratcliffe wants to build a new stadium for Manchester United.

Asked about Ineos’ arrival, United manager Ten Hag said: “You see, you feel that ambition.

“That brings a mood, brings a spirit in this club. The mood and the spirit which belongs to this club, and I think the players, the staff are very aligned with the ambitions of Ineos because that's why we are here, that's why we are playing for Man Utd.

“We want to win, and we want to achieve the highest, so we are very aligned, and we have to make strategies and we have to execute the strategies to prove the ambitions."

Ten Hag also said off-the-pitch changes can provide a boost for the players – and that it will help him to have support from above.

"I think everything is always aligned with each other.

“We are a club, we are not an isolated department, the first team. But I think for the mood of the club it's very important that the first team is performing, getting the right results.

“In a club as Manchester United, you can't do everything alone, it's impossible. You need very good people around you, so I'm happy, we are there.

“But a club as Manchester United also always has to look for better and never be satisfied. Always [thinking] good is not good enough. Always looking for better. And always try to do every day better than the day before."

United are unbeaten in their last six matches and have won their last four in a row in all competitions.

They are sixth in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

Asked whether he would have any input into the appointment of a new sporting director, Ten Hag said: “I'm here and I know in what construction I am working. And I'm very happy in this construction.

“So, I don't know anything about changes, and I talk with the new or foreseen sporting organisation but it's not up to me.

“I'm working and that is my focus point at this moment, on this team and we plan in this construction, in this organisation, for the future. So, we have a look.

“We closed the [transfer] window in January, we are working on the plans for the summer."

United travel to Luton at the weekend and will be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia, but Luke Shaw could feature.

“He is doubtful for the weekend, but we are positive he can make it,” said Ten Hag.

“So, he fell out [of the game against Villa], it was a precaution and I think it was the right decision, especially when you, afterwards, win the game. But we work until Sunday."

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