Manchester United’s new leadership team, spearheaded by chief executive Omar Berrada, has expressed their full backing for manager Erik ten Hag. Despite speculation and rumors of potential replacements, the club made the decision to trigger a one-year extension to Ten Hag’s contract in the summer. This move was supported by both Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth, who have since taken on their respective roles within the club. Berrada emphasized that the Dutchman has the complete support of club chiefs, highlighting their satisfaction with the decision to retain him.
Despite initial uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s position after the FA Cup final victory in May, he has played a crucial role in the club’s recruitment efforts over the summer. Manchester United invested close to £200m on five new players, bolstering the squad with talents such as Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, and Manuel Ugarte. Ten Hag, who is entering his third season at Old Trafford, has called for patience from fans and stakeholders alike, stressing the importance of time in delivering results. Ashworth echoed this sentiment, expressing satisfaction with the squad assembled during his first transfer window at the club.
The summer at Manchester United has been marked by significant changes, including the appointments of Jason Wilcox as technical director and Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake as assistant managers. This shake-up has introduced more uncertainty around Ten Hag’s position, but Ashworth emphasized the positive working relationship that has quickly developed between him and the former Ajax boss. Despite the challenges that come with integrating new staff and players, Ashworth expressed his enjoyment in working with Ten Hag over the past few weeks, underscoring their collaborative efforts.
As Manchester United navigates through a period of transition and adaptation, the unwavering support for Erik ten Hag remains steadfast within the club’s leadership team. With a renewed sense of cohesion and determination, the focus is on harnessing the potential of the squad and delivering strong performances on the pitch. The foundation laid during the summer transfer window sets the stage for Ten Hag and his team to build towards their collective goals, with the backing and confidence of Manchester United’s management guiding their journey forward.