Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed he spoke with Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the prospective owner’s tour of Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe was in Manchester on Friday for a presentation about buying the club and to continue talks with United officials, 24 hours after representatives of rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani attended Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has now revealed he has spoken with Ratcliffe and his team, although he was keen to keep out of the takeover talks.
“I just met them; we shook hands but I’m focused on the game,” Ten Hag said on Friday.
“We play a big game on Sunday against Fulham. Others in the club have been dealing with potential investors.
“My job is focus on the game so let’s talk about the game Fulham, it is a big tie so let’s get ready for that.”
Ratcliffe also met with United chief executive Richard Arnold and was joined by INEOS officials Sir David Brailsford, Andy Currie, John Reece, Rob Nevin and Jean Claude Blanc.
His presence at Old Trafford has already endeared Ratcliffe to many United fans who were surprised that Sheikh Jassim opted to send a delegation on his behalf, rather than travel to Manchester himself.
