Don't make me walk the plank again says Erik

AS UNITED STEER A NEW COURSE, TEN HAG ISSUES ORDERS TO HELM

- David McDonnell

ERIK TEN HAG has told Manchester United's new hierarchy they must prove their faith by backing him through the good times and bad.

The Dutchman was left in limbo for more than a fortnight after winning the FA Cup in May while Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his United executives pondered his future.

They sounded out potential replacements such as Thomas Tuchel before sticking with Ten Hag, triggering a one-year extension on his contract as a show of support.

Ratcliffe's right-hand man Sir David Brailsford, below, was part of a delegation who visited the head coach while he was on holiday in Ibiza in June to tell the 54-year-old he was safe.

United have since appointed Dan Ashworth as sporting director while Omar Berrada has defected from Manchester City to become the new CEO, and all is settled.