SIDESHOW BOSS

Sir Jim's comments belittle Ten Hag role

- JEREMY CROSS

IT’S THE kind of backhanded compliment that will feel like a slap across the face to Erik ten Hag.

In a damning assessment of the state of Manchester United, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe demeaned Ten Hag without even realising it.

“The coach isn’t the central issue at Manchester United,” said Ratcliffe.

Who’d have thought it, eh?

Ten Hag has gone from being the perceived problem to the possible solution.

“It’s a sports club (United),” said Ratcliffe. “It needs to be competitive, it needs a degree of intensity, but with a supportive side to it, because you are dealing with players who are relatively young.

“It hasn’t had that type of environment historically.”