Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refused to discuss the merits of takeover bids that have been lodged for the club, insisting he can only influence things on the pitch.
Ten Hag has, however, expressed gratitude that a recent statement from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust stressed the importance of any new owners backing the Dutchman to keep going with the transformative project he has started since arriving in May.
“I thank the fans when they have their trust in me,” Ten Hag said following United’s 3-0 win over Leicester, a result which leaves them only five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
“I feel committed with this club, I love to be here but it [the takeover] is not in my influence. What I can influence is the performance of this team and I will give everything to perform as well as possible and to bring them hopefully across limits.”
“We are committed with this club – it is our club, it’s in our heart but it [the takeover] is not our job. We focus on football and performing and that is what the players and the staff have to do.”
Ten Hag gave a similar message to Sky Sports: “There’s movement around the club but it’s not up to me. I have to manage the team and make sure that the team is performing and get the right results. I don’t have time to get involved in stuff like this.”
“We want to have a good team, a team who is competing for the highest in the world. We have huge ambitions and that is what we want to fulfil. We always want to strengthen.”
The initial deadline for takeover bids passed on Friday of last week. Multiple offers are reported to have been submitted, although only the bids from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani have been publicly confirmed by the respective parties.
Both of those bids state their intention to also invest in women’s team.
Speaking in January, United Women boss Marc Skinner said: “We’re not looking at standing still right now. I have no doubt whatsoever if our club does change hands in the future, then the women will be a key feature of what we’re doing at this club. We’ve just come way too far to turn around now.”
