Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag vows to 'strike back' from setbacks and labels Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'an inspiration'
Manchester United eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup and avoided any unwanted drama in a 2-0 win over League One Wigan; Erik ten Hag on Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his planned purchase of a 25 per cent stake: «It is an inspiration. Everyone is optimistic»
@Ben_Islington
Monday 8 January 2024 23:22, UK
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has described Sir Jim Ratcliffe's planned purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the club as «an inspiration» and has vowed to survive the setbacks on the journey back to the top of the English game.
Goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes saw United ease into the fourth round of the FA Cup and avoid any unwanted drama in a 2-0 win over League One Wigan.
With Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc watching on as Ratcliffe awaits ratification of his 25 per cent stake in United, a straightforward win was just what Erik ten Hag needed after a December in which United lost six of nine games to keep the pressure on the Dutchman.
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Recognising the need for a result, the United boss went strong despite a list of absentees into double figures — and after easing into a fourth-round tie at either League Two Newport County or Eastleigh of the National League, Ten Hag spoke about the new-found optimism at the club.
When asked by ITV about Ratcliffe and his planned purchase of a 25 per cent stake, he said: «It is an inspiration. Everyone is optimistic.
»There is a lot of work to do. We've had a lot of setbacks and I think in the summer we were in a good way but it is a journey, it is a project and now we have to deal with some setbacks but we will keep alive, survive it and strike back."
With 22,870 on hand, the DW Stadium was sold out
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