SIR JIM RATCLIFFE performed a dramatic U-turn by sticking with Erik ten Hag - and then opened talks on a new deal with the Manchester United boss.
The Dutchman was last night given the thumbs up to stay on at Old Trafford next season following a two-week end-of-season review.
Erik ten Hag is set to remain as manager of Manchester United Credit: Getty
New United part-owner Ratcliffe met Thomas Tuchel last weekend but could not agree terms with the ex-Bayern Munich manager.
And now United have confirmed Ten Hag, who had 12 months left on his contract, will remain in his job.
Ten Hag, 54, looked doomed after his side ended the season in eighth spot - the club’s worst Prem finish – and missed out on Champions League football.
But the ex-Ajax chief led United to FA Cup glory by beating Prem champions and neighbours Manchester City at Wembley on May 25.
Despite picking up a second trophy in two years, Ten Hag, who stated he would “win trophies elsewhere” if he was relieved of his post, was kept waiting to learn his fate.
United considered all options including German Tuchel, who now plans to take a managerial break, England boss Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Frank.
However, Ratcliffe’s Ineos finally concluded Ten Hag was the right man for the job after looking at the whole campaign and the first team operation.
Ten Hag, who was pictured yesterday with his wife on holiday in Ibiza, also held constructive talks with the United hierarchy on Tuesday.
Confirmation arrived late last night he is staying on and will soon meet again with the club’s top brass to discuss next season’s squad and how they move the team forward.
Ratcliffe has implemented changes behind the scenes in a new management structure already with chief exec Omar Berrarda due to start next month – along with director of football Dan Ashworth, expected to arrive from Newcastle.
Technical director Jason Wilcox is already in place and has been working with Ratcliffe, Sir David Brailsford and Jean Claude Blanc.
The news of Ten Hag’s reprieve will be welcomed by large sections of the United support, who stood by the manager during a testing league campaign which was ravaged by injuries.
United’s shock Wembley victory over Pep Guardiola’s men - and the quality of the performance - only reinforced their view that he should be given more time.
The triumph meant Ten Hag has won two major trophies in as many seasons as manager with the FA Cup adding to the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle in his first campaign.
It is believed Ten Hag’s excellent work in developing young players such as England midfield star Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho went down favourably and was aligned with the club’s tradition of creating a pathway for young stars to thrive at Old Trafford.
The hierarchy also appreciated the crippling injury record and noted key signings Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund - as well as the injury-struck Mason Mount - will be better following their debut seasons at the club.
Ten Hag is now free to prepare for the upcoming campaign, though, without concerns regarding his future.
He has won both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup since his appointment in the summer of 2022.
Another busy summer awaits as United look to put last season's league woes behind them.
The Red Devils are understood to be targeting a new striker, with Ivan Toney reportedly on their shortlist.
Meanwhile, Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite has been tipped to fill the void of Raphael Varane's imminent exit.
Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Liverpool, Arsenal and others for the potential transfer of Brighton star Yankuba Minteh, according to Stretty News.The talented 20-year-old has really caught the eye in the Premier League in recent times, and it seems inevitable that he’ll move to a bigger club at some point, as so many other of Brighton’s best players have in recent tim...
Amad Diallo said on Thursday that he hopes his Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho will stay at the club amid growing expectation that the Argentina international will leave in the summer.Sources have told ESPN that the 20-year-old's representatives are set for talks with United ahead of the opening of the window.Sources on both sides have told ESPN that Garnacho is likely to leave the c...
Chelsea have beaten Manchester United to the £30 million ($40.5m) signing of Liam Delap with sources telling ESPN that the Conference League winners are close to finalising a deal for the Ipswich Town forward.Delap, 22, had also been the subject of interest from Newcastle United and Everton, but the prospect of playing alongside former Manchester City teammate Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge i...
The 29-year-old has been in contract negotiations with the Bundesliga champions for several months, but no agreement has been reached so far.Sane's agent, Pini Zahavi, is understood to have offered the player to several clubs across Europe.Now, The Times reports that Arsenal have shown strong interest in securing a summer deal for the German international.Sane has scored 13 goals and registered si...
MANCHESTER UNITED flops were forced to take part in a humiliating open-top bus 'parade' in Malaysia.The Red Devils ended the season without a trophy after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham and they finished in their lowest ever Premier League position of 15th.Man Utd flops boarded an open-top bus on their post-season tour of AsiaThe parade came before they suffered an embarrassing 1-0 de...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. "Cunha Help.." “You’re about to see the best of me.” - Raheem Sterling GOOD OLD DAYS.. Can BRAZIL WIN The 2026 FIFA World Cup with Carlo Ancelotti? Underrated gem Florentino Perez asking Xabi Alonso to flash the 15 UCL badge during the presentation. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFoot...
Eye-watering details of new Yamal contract revealedLamine Yamal will earn a staggering £325,000 per week after signing a new contract at the club until 2031.Madrid still stand a chance of scuppering Arsenal's Zubimendi transferReal Madrid can still reportedly hijack Arsenal's seemingly nailed-on transfer for Martin Zubimendi.Motta could become Milan's replacement for ConceicaoAC Milan could a...
WHAT HAPPENED?United beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Old Trafford in their final Premier League match of the campaign, securing a 15th-place finish in the top-flight days after they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.THE BIGGER PICTURESince he replaced Erik ten Hag at the helm in November, United have won just 17 of the 42 matches they have played under the Portuguese coach, losing as many in a his...
The German giants are set to head to the US for the controversially revamped tournament next month.Harry Kane and wife Katie Goodland pose with the Bundesliga plateHarry Kane will head to the States hoping to add further silverware to his collection, having broken his duck by winning the Bundesliga title.According to Bild, the trip has caused friction behind the scenes at the German champions.Baye...
Alejandro Garnacho is set to play his final match for Man UtdAlejandro Garnacho's stunning WAG has dropped a massive transfer hint on Sunday (May 25).The Red Devils have had a torrid campaign, and reports suggested, after their Europa League final loss to Tottenham, that every player would be up for sale this summer.Garnacho had been linked with a move to Chelsea in January, but the youngster stay...
- 1 Gyokeres' words about joining Arsenal
- 2 Ronaldo appears to confirm Al-Nassr exit
- 3 Chloe Kelly stuns Arsenal fans as she heads straight to local PUB
- 4 Chelsea making progress over Caicedo deal
- 5 Bonnie Blue kicked out of PL stadium while performing x-rated gesture
- 6 Amorim promises revival after disaster
- 7 Man City suffer Wirtz alternative blow
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Arsenal boss Arteta's wife Lorena Bernal shares marriage secrets
- 10 Daily Laugh - GG bro / Sancho & Antony