Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly bullish about his future as manager ahead of crunch talks with INEOS bosses.
A deal that will see Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club is due to be confirmed soon, with the British billionaire set to he entrusted with control of football operations by the Glazer family. And addressing Ten Hag's position is sure to be high on his agenda with the Dutchman under increasing pressure following this week's early Champions League exit.
Furthermore, the speculation has ramped up by reports that Ratcliffe has already held private talks with Graham Potter over the prospect of him succeeding Ten Hag. The OGC Nice owner tried to take him to France in the summer after his ill-fated stint at Chelsea, but a move never materialised.
That news is sure to add extra spice when Ten Hag attends his initial meeting, although the face-to-face talks are likely to be conducted with director of sport Dave Brailsford, rather than Ratcliffe himself. However, according to The Sun, the ex-Ajax man is confident he'll keep his job.
The 53-year-old has reportedly prepared a plan to present to Brailsford, which will outline his ambitions to turn the club around. Part of that will include a summer squad overhaul, with new transfer funds set to be available following Ratcliffe's investment.
Indeed, following the European exit on Tuesday, in the immediate aftermath of the Bayern defeat the boss was insistent there was much to play for in the 2023/24 campaign. United currently lie sixth in the Premier League and six points off the top four, with Ten Hag seemingly confident his side can breach that gap and be at Europe's top table again next season.
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He also believes a creditable first year in charge will harbour move favour with his new bosses. As well as a third-placed top flight finish, in February United beat Newcastle to win the League Cup and a run of six years without a major trophy.
But that was followed by a £170million spending spree, with the bulk of his new signings currently failing to impress at Old Trafford. £72million man Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score in the Premier League, while the likes of Mason Mount and Andre Onana have come under fire for their displays.
And the club is now also crippled by injuries, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw the latest to pick up problems against Bayern. The Red Devils are set to head to Anfield, a venue where they lost 7-0 last season, with 13-first team squad members unavailable.
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