Erik ten Hag says he prefers short contracts, feels aligned with Manchester United’s management

LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag prefers the contract extension till 2026 he received in July to longer-term deals, the Dutchman told The Guardian newspaper on Aug 2.

There had been speculation he would be sacked after the Red Devils ended eighth last season, their lowest-ever finish in the English Premier League era. A shock victory over league champions Manchester City in the FA Cup final, however, earned the 54-year-old a lifeline.

His contract, originally set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 season, was extended for just one year by United’s new management, led by Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe after they looked at potential replacements but retained him instead.

However, ten Hag told The Guardian he did not need the financial security that comes with a longer-term contract. “No, I wanted this,” he said in Los Angeles, during United’s pre-season tour.

“I think two years in football is already a long time and in two years we will see what we have built on top of what we have achieved now. I have enough security in my life and in my career and I have enough belief that I know when I have a team, I will achieve success.”

He also said he felt positive and aligned with the management and wanted to collaborate with them to bring more success to the club – United won the League Cup and the FA Cup in his first two seasons.

“We have good people. With highly competent people, they will contribute to more success and I don’t think negative,” ten Hag added. “I feel that we built something and that the people who are around me are in the same boat.”

United play City again in the Community Shield on Aug 10 before starting their Premier League campaign at home against Fulham on Aug 16.

There are some concerns, however, as forward Rasmus Hojlund will be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury and newly signed defender Leny Yoro has been sidelined for three months after hurting his foot.

Ten Hag’s men, who struggled with injuries for much of last season, have been dealt another blow even before the new campaign has started.

After both Hojlund and Yoro were substituted early in last weekend’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat by Arsenal, forward Marcus Rashford limped off the field after 62 minutes in the 3-2 win over Real Betis in San Diego on July 31.

“We have to wait,” ten Hag said of Rashford’s injury. “Of course, we don’t (want to) risk him going into the season next week already and into an important game.”

United are reportedly still in the hunt to sign Bayern Munich defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, both of whom previously played under ten Hag at Ajax Amsterdam.

With Yoro out for an extended period, the club could accelerate the process to see if a deal can be agreed with the German side for fellow centre-back de Ligt. REUTERS