Erik ten Hag sends defiant Man Utd message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe after losing two key allies
Erik ten Hag insists he does not feel vulnerable as Manchester United boss – despite the loss of two of his biggest allies.
Under-pressure Ten Hag’s position has been further weakened with the double departure of football director John Murtough and chief executive Richard Arnold.
Murtough, instrumental in appointing Ten Hag, developed a close working relationship with the United boss, but left his role last month, another victim of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s radical overhaul of the club, while Arnold left at the back end of last year.
With United currently seventh, having failed to secure Champions League football this season, Ten Hag faces an uncertain future amid a huge change of personnel behind the scenes.
Jason Wilcox has already begun work as United’s technical director, former Manchester City chief football operations officer Omar Berrada will start as new CEO on July 13, while Dan Ashworth is expected to be installed as sporting director once compensation is agreed with Newcastle.
Asked if he felt exposed, with two of his biggest allies no longer at United, against a backdrop of major change, Ten Hag said: “No, I don’t have that feeling.
“I work well with them, we are aligned, we communicate every day. There are already new people in a new structure and we communicate on a daily basis. I don’t think in [terms of] danger. I think in opportunities. I never think in problems, I think ‘how do we solve those problems or avoid them?’”
Ten Hag is involved in United’s summer transfer business, as well as their pre-season tour to the USA, despite the uncertainty surrounding his position going forward.
Former United football director John Murtough (right), was instrumental in appointing Ten Hag
United have four games left in the Premier League, starting with Monday night’s trip to Crystal Palace, before a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final against local rivals City.
With so many players lost to injury this season, particularly in defence, Ten Hag knows United must build a squad with greater depth and durability for next season.
“Yes, that is one of the issues in constructing the squad where we have to improve, to do things better,” said Ten Hag. “To construct a squad where we have more depth.”
Asked if that meant more signings than usual this summer, Ten Hag said: “I’m not sure. But I think the most important thing is to get players back.
“In many positions we created depth and now, in some positions, we don’t have any choices, for instance the left-back position. Luke Shaw has had only 15 starts this season so far and Tyrell Malacia zero starts – not even available.
Luke Shaw suffered a muscle injury against Luton last month
“For over 10 years I’ve been managing and I never had this experience, so many huge injury issues, but I trust in all of my experience. It can happen once in 10 years, hopefully now I have to wait another 10 to have so many injuries to deal with.”
Looking ahead to the summer window, Ten Hag said: “In the two winter windows, we almost didn’t do any business.
“In the first, we brought in Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer on loan, which were two good ones, but this winter we didn’t do anything. We tried but it didn’t happen. It had to do with the budget and Financial Fair Play.
“I think every manager wants players with winning attitudes and a great mentality, big personalities to perform under stress. In this club it’s extremely important to perform under stress.”
DON’T SCRAP REPLAYS! Join our petition to keep the magic of the FA Cup alive!
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.