During the height of the takeover debacle, Erik ten Hag and Manchester United were continuing to improve and develop.
Naturally, this success, you would think, led to the Glazer family increasing the price of the club and it quickly turned into a two-horse race. Erik ten Hag was consistently asked about the takeover situation and consistently said Manchester United would report news if there was news to report.
Well, for months, there hadn’t been any news to report. This has added to the confusion at Old Trafford and it would be natural to assume this would affect the playing side of the football club.
Now there are developments, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club, per The Times. He will insist on control of football operations.
The importance of Jim Ratcliffe
Despite not every corner of the United fanbase being behind the 70-year-old petrochemical billionaire, this big step forward, that the fans have been waiting for, can only be a positive.
Yes, the Glazers will be remaining at the club for the immediate future but you would like to hope if Ratcliffe is investing over £1 billion into the club, he would want more than the 25 per cent he is getting.
The Glazers remain the biggest obstacle to United ending their 12-year title drought or the 15-year Champions League drought, that much is obvious.
However, with an end to the uncertainty in sight, this should bring everyone together and remove the confusion that has proliferated throughout the football club in the past year.
Erik ten Hag’s lifeline
One man who will benefit hugely from the takeover situation being close to concluding is Ten Hag.
The man who gave United fans so much hope amidst the ownership drama has, too, suffered from the uncertainty surrounding the club.
If, as expected, Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent acquisition of the club is ratified this week, plans would be put in place to improve the football side of the club, as well as the stadium, according to The Times.
Whether it’s Paul Mitchell or Michael Edwards, having another name, who will have experience in football, can only be a positive. Ten Hag excelled within a similar structure during his time at Ajax.
Another aspect, that has plagued United for years, is panic signings.
No longer will the likes of Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer or Odion Ighalo be targeted, instead United, under a new sporting director, will have a list of permanent targets to choose from.
Panic signings should be a thing of the past with a new sporting director.
If Paul Mitchell is the choice, his years of experience should be a revolutionary addition to the United hierarchy.
The pressure would be off Ten Hag to lead the recruitment drive with Mitchell or Edwards taking the lead on this.
Ten Hag would have his say but would ultimately focus on coaching the players, which he excels at.
The uncertainty has had a negative effect on everyone but if Ratcliffe, as reported, is planning a drastic overhaul in the football department, this could be the boost that United has been waiting for.
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