Ten Hag confident minority owners NEOS want him to stay

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident new minority owners INEOS want to work with him.

The Old Trafford club announced on Christmas Eve that a deal has been reached for INEOS Group chairman Jim Ratcliffe to buy a 25% stake in the club.

INEOS is taking responsibility for United's footballing operations under the terms of a deal that is expected to take four to six weeks to receive regulatory approval.

Ten Hag said: "The schedule is so condensed so I didn't have the time so far to speak with them but it will come and I look forward (to it).

"They want to work with me, I want to work with them. We will have the conversations, the meetings, so we will see."

Asked if he is expecting INEOS to be a regular presence at United's Carrington training base, Ten Hag said: "I'm focused on the game so far.

"So, I said, no, in this moment I don't want to have distractions but in the coming days, weeks, there will be time for this, and then I know more.

"But I think it's a good thing, it's very positive and, as I said, we are looking really forward to work together.

"INEOS wants to work with me, in this structure, and I want to work with them."

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission filing related to the deal contains a provision guaranteeing that INEOS will be consulted on football matters in the interim.

This includes "appointing, dismissing or accepting the resignation of any director of football or first team manager of the company" as well as entering into or continuing any discussion concerning the purchase or sale of any player.

Dave Brailsford was at Old Trafford for the stunning 3-2 turnaround against Aston Villa and INEOS are expected to have some presence at Saturday's trip to Nottingham Forest.

"We always want