Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag offered a concerning update as he teased that contract discussions over his future are not going to be resolved "easily".
After a lengthy end-of-season review by new decision-makers INEOS culminated with Ten Hag receiving word that he would continue to be in charge of Old Trafford, various reports suggested that discussions would soon begin over a contract extension for the Dutchman.
However, amid concerns over whether Ten Hag would be prepared to hand over power in the transfer market to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's backroom additions, the head coach has insisted that any talks over a new deal would not be simple.
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"Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract," Ten Hag told Dutch TV station ONS. "This isn't easily done, we are still going to have to talk about this.."
Ten Hag joined coverage of Euro 2024 as a pundit for ONS shortly after his United future was confirmed. He has a contract with the Red Devils until 2025, with the option of another year, but it remains to be seen whether a long-term agreement can be found.
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Ten Hag insisted when he first arrived on Manchester two years ago that one of his requirements for working at a club is that he would have total control over the comings and goings.
But following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority share purchase earlier this year, he has hired ex-Manchester City chief Omar Berrada as CEO and Jason Wilcox as sporting director, with the hope that Newcastle director of football Dan Ashworth also makes the move to Old Trafford.
"I set requirements in advance about how I want to work," Ten Hag told Dutch outlet Trouw in April 2022 before his United unveiling. "If they aren't granted, I won't do it. I am ultimately responsible and accounted for the results. I don't want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers is a condition for me."
He then doubled down on that same stance in February, explaining: “It’s control. And I have had the talks with them (INEOS) 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."
