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Erik ten Hag "focusing on football" amid Manchester United takeover talk

Ten Hag
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag says that he is currently "focusing on football" amid the developments surrounding a potential takeover.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that he is currently "focusing on football" rather than the developments surrounding a potential takeover of the club.

Towards the end of last year, the Glazers announced that they were open to selling the 20-time English champions, and there has been a host of speculation in recent weeks.

The Red Devils have allegedly held discussions with a group of Qatar-based investors looking to purchase the club.

The Glazer family are thought to value Man United in the region of £6bn, although there is a belief that a deal could be done for a fee of between £4.1bn and £4.6bn.

Man United's co-owner Avram Glazer said towards the end of last year that a full sale of the club might not necessarily take place, with fresh investment also an option.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co-owners Joel Glazer and Avram Glazer in April 2019© Reuters

"It's not necessarily a sale, it's a process and we're going forward with the process, so we'll see what happens," he told The Athletic. "I'm here to really watch the World Cup but I appreciate your interest. That's the update, it's the process and the process is proceeding."

Ten Hag was asked about the developments ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Leicester City, but the Dutchman refused to go into detail in relation to off-the-field matters.

"We are following it, it is our club and of course we are committed, but we are focusing on football, on training, on our way of playing, on games and that is what we are focusing on," Ten Hag told reporters.

"And we are really enjoying it at the moment, with togetherness, and it is enjoyable to work. Yeah, we are focusing on games, we have four leagues [competitions]. So others in the club will have to take decisions and give efforts in that process, but it is not up to us."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured before the match on January 18, 2023© Reuters

Meanwhile, when asked whether he had spoken to CEO Richard Arnold or the Glazer family about the situation, the Dutchman added: "No. I must say from the start, yeah, they told me how the process is going.

"But I will focus on football and they are focusing on other parts and departments of the club. How to get everything, for instance, financed."

Man United are still competing in four competitions this season, including the EFL Cup, where they will take on Newcastle United in the final next weekend.

The Red Devils are third in the Premier League table and present in the fifth round of the FA Cup, while they drew 2-2 with Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff on Thursday night.

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Matt Law

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General view of Manchester United's Old Trafford taken August 2018
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