Erik ten Hag is keen to retain his right to veto any transfers at Manchester United as the club look to revamp their recruitment department following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s successful partial takeover, according to reports. 

It was announced on Christmas Eve that Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent purchase of Manchester United had been successful, with the British billionaire set to take control of football operations. 

The news was greeted with mixed emotions from the Manchester United Supporters Trust, who had held hopes that the unpopular Glazer family might be ousted, while the announcement was blasted by former captain Gary Neville. 

There had been some speculation as to whether Ten Hag would keep his place under the new system, although he now looks set to stay in command – and according to ESPN he has even demanded that his right to veto transfers be honoured. 

Erik ten Hag is thought to be keen to retain a transfer veto written into his contract, reports claim

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25 per cent of Manchester United was announced in December

The report claims that the Dutchman’s deal includes the right to refuse any transfers, which he has had control of since arriving. 

The Red Devils’ recent transfer activity has come under significant scrutiny, with Antony’s £85.5million arrival from Ajax notable given he ended 2023 with just one goal for the club. 

Ten Hag is set to hold talks with Ratcliffe, with the new part-owner set to meet the Dutch manager this week. 

Ratcliffe’s arrival as the new overseer of football operations has led to reports of an overhaul in that department, with a particular emphasis on recruitment. 

As such, the club has been linked with a number of new directors, with Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth and former Tottenham head of recruitment Paul Mitchell both connected as per reports. 

Current director of football Richard Murtough has widely been reported to be set to leave his role once the takeover is fully ratified, with Mitchell believed to have been a front-runner for his position. 

However, according to i, Mitchell is being considered for a head of recruitment role by INEOS’ head of sport Brailsford. 

Ashworth is still believed to be a No 1 priority for a sporting director appointment, despite only having joined Newcastle in summer 2022. 

Dan Ashworth is thought to be the No 1 target as sporting director for Sir Dave Brailsford

Former Tottenham chief Pail Mitchell is reportedly being considered as a head of recruitment

While Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has insisted that he believes Ashworth is not going anywhere, a source has revealed that the Magpies director is of great interest to Brailsford. 

‘Sir Dave will go all out for Dan [Ashworth],’ the source said as per i.

‘This is what he is good at – getting the right people in, in the right roles. He won’t interfere with coaching or tell a manager which players to sign.

‘He will get the right person in to do that. And he always gets his man.’