Sort it out!

TODAY, 7PM TAKEOVER CHAOS PUTS ALL CONCERNED TEN HAG’S HARD WORK IN JEOPARDY AND LEAVES UNITED’S SUMMER TRANSFER PLANS IN LIMBO

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MANCHESTER UTD

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MANCHESTER UNITED are in chaos – and it’s threatening to undermine Erik ten Hag’s impressive first season at Old Trafford. Protracted and confusing takeover talks have left United in a worrying vacuum at a crucial stage of the season. And Dutch sources close to the 53-year-old boss say Ten Hag is “concerned” that what should be a positive moment for the club could be derailed by the uncertainty caused by United’s sale. Having landed the Carabao Cup, booked an FA Cup Final with rivals Manchester City and made Champions League football next season a real possibility, Ten Hag wanted to push that momentum into the summer. But leading transfer targets such as Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen (left), Inter Milan frontman Lautaro Martinez and

Ajax defender Jurrien Timber are now all on the back burner, while rival bidders, including Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim, compete for control of United.

Those names could even be replaced by bigger stars, with Paris Saint-germain striker Kylian Mbappe said to be a highpriority signing for the Qataris if they succeed over fellow bidder and billionaire United fan Jim Ratcliffe.

But, while the club’s future is unresolved United are on the back foot and in turmoil compared with some rivals as the season draws to a close.

And that has left Ten Hag in limbo.

With the takeover ongoing, United have put a budget freeze in place, preventing any recruitment of external consultants.

And that is the tip of the iceberg, with the club hitting the pause button in many areas of the business.

At the top of the chain, the hold on substantial capital outlay means Ten Hag is at risk of missing out on preferred transfer targets.

That has left him frustrated and seeking direction from chief executive Richard Arnold.

But total clarity has not been forthcoming for Ten Hag.

And the Dutch coach is not the only one wondering what will happen, with a major boardroom shake-up predicted once the sale is concluded. And if the Glazer family do not retain a significant slice of the club, it is certain that current key figures such as Arnold will see their roles under scrutiny.

Arnold (below) has overseen a period of much-needed stability under Ten Hag as well as sanctioning the transfers of Brazil midfielder Casemiro, Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen. All three players have helped Ten Hag lay down impressive foundations in his first season.

But any new owners will want to install their own men in positions of power – as Sheikh Mansour did when buying Manchester City almost 15 years ago.

But while instigating a restructure, the new United owners will also want to retain knowledge and experience.

That means former chief executive David Gill is certain to be asked to stay to help United’s new custodians through the early stages of ownership.

All of that is no help to Ten Hag who wants his transfer business concluded as early as possible this summer.

As things stand, that appears unlikely to happen – putting at risk all the Dutchman’s good work in halting United’s fall from football’s top table.