Erik the Red gets new deal
MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to give Erik ten Hag a new deal before the end of the year – even if the club has not been sold by then.
United’s owners, the Glazers, have sanctioned the start of negotiations on a two-year extension to the manager’s current contract, which runs until June 2025.
Despite the fact the unpopular Americans are expected to have left the club well before that date, they believe sorting out
Ten Hag’s long-term future makes good sense – on and off the pitch.
While their proposed £5billion-plus sale of United has been shrouded in confusion – as they stall over the actual price and exactly when they want to cash in – contract talks with Ten Hag were also put on hold.
But the Dutchman’s situation, at least, looks likely to be resolved in the next few months – with the United hierarchy keen to restore some stability around the club.
The show of faith is certainly a timely boost for the former Ajax coach. Ten Hag, 53, enjoyed a relatively successful first season at Old Trafford, guiding the Red Devils back into the Champions League with a third-place Premier League finish.
But a perceived mediocre summer in the transfer market has been followed by a poor opening fortnight to the new campaign.
Ahead of yesterday’s home clash with Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag slammed his players’ performance last weekend, when they crashed at Tottenham, as “unacceptable”.
Ten Hag, who at present pockets £9million annually, could see that increase to around
£14m in a new deal, pushing him closer to United’s highest earners.