Erik ten Hag gives blunt response on Man Utd contract talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Erik ten Hag refused to confirm whether a new contract has been discussed during talks with Manchester United's new investors and says he still needs to prove himself to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

The Dutchman's second season at Old Trafford has been chaotic, exiting Europe while sitting in eighth in the Premier League.

The FA Cup is their only remaining and realistic chance of silverware this season, with a trip to Newport to come later on Sunday, and Ten Hag will have 12 months left on his deal when the summer arrives.

He said: «We speak about many subjects but I can't go into detail, especially when it is so personal.

»First, the most important thing is the club. It's about the club, about the team and how we have to work to high standards to achieve our targets. It's not about any individual person."

Ten Hag admitted he is comfortable effectively being on trial in front of the new stakeholders, with Ratcliffe's deal for 25% of the club expected to be ratified by the Premier League next month.

He added: «When you're involved in top-level football I think you know that you have to prove yourself every day — and that counts for everyone who is working for this club.»

Ten Hag has been given another test of his authority in the build-up to Man Utd's FA Cup fourth round clash with Newport on Sunday after it was revealed forward Marcus Rashford was spotted in a Belfast nightclub hours before missing training on Friday due to illness.

The England international was disciplined in November for a similar infringement and his involvement in the tie at Rodney Parade is in doubt, with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony potentially featuring out wide instead.

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