Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists the Glazer family’s decision to sell the club does not affect his role.
The American owners bought the Red Devils 17 years ago but have now put the club on the market.
Ten Hag revealed that he is actively communicating with the management and the board about the future roadmap of the squad.
He said (via Manchester Evening News): “I’m here to manage the team, to get the best out of them, and of course, I have a job in bringing the right players in.
“Of course, I have to be in debate with the management of the club, the board of the club, and we have a lot of communication about that.
“But I’m not here for the finance – I’m here to achieve the sporting aims and goals.
“I’m planning – I always go for the highest, so we go for the best, the best we can get, but also we have plan B.”
The manager also talked about Harry Maguire, who has had a reduced role to play this season.
“I’m really happy with Harry Maguire – I think he’s progressing really well,” Ten Hag added. “All the games he is playing, he is doing really well.
“But we have big competition there. We have today two centre-halves who are acting really well and he is right-footed (so) a big competitor with Rapha Varane, who is also a brilliant player. So that is what we need.”
Manchester United’s transfer plans will depend on the new ownership
The resurgence of Newcastle United shows that the Premier League is an open competition if you have the right manager and robust financial backing from the owners.
It is great to see Ten Hag admitting that he is heavily involved in deciding what his squad looks like.
The upcoming new or partial owners have to make sure that they get behind Ten Hag, especially in the next summer transfer window.
The Dutch boss has shown that he is tactically shrewd and, if given the right resources, he can take the club to the top.
Squad depth will be a key focus for the manager, as he needs quality players to come off the bench to help the team.
Central defence is one area where United have enough talent this season.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the undisputable first-choice pair. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have done well when called upon.
It is evident that Maguire wants to play every week, but that will not happen unless Varane gets injured.
If he is still playing the role of a bit-part player by the end of the season, he may look for a move elsewhere.
United will be forced to venture into the market to find a replacement if he does.
