Erik ten Hag answered a number of questions about Sir Jim Ratcliffe when speaking at his press conference ahead of Manchester United's game against Fulham.
However, the most interesting response from Ten Hag was to a question about recruitment. He was asked whether 'control' over transfers was still a non-negotiable for his role and said: "Yes, I am sure. It’s control. And I have had the talks with them about it.
"They will not bring in players who the manager doesn’t want, because that will not work. We will work there together, with suggestions, bringing players in and discussing. Then it is about picking the right players, it is about cooperation and togetherness. That is the way they want to work."
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That question was on the back of quotes from a Dutch newspaper when Ten Hag was appointed in the spring of 2022, when he said: "I set requirements in advance about how I want to work.
"If they aren't granted, I won't do it. I am ultimately responsible and accounted for results. I don't want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers is a condition for me."
Ten Hag has spent over £400million in two summer windows, predominantly signing players with Eredivisie pedigree, since he joined from Ajax and his spending record is mixed.
The signing of Antony, who is yet to record a goal or assist in the league this season, for £86m does not reflect well on Ten Hag and United are guaranteed to make a loss on him.
Ratcliffe famously described signing Fred for £50m as 'dumb money' and the British billionaire is appointing the right people to prevent such signings from happening again.
Omar
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