Time will tell on Ten Hag future

The announcement over Erik ten Hag's contract was virtually automatic once it became clear Manchester United had decided to stick with the Dutchman as manager.

His existing deal was due to expire in 2025 and it contained an option for an additional year.

Ten Hag's terms have not been improved, so all that has happened really is the option has been triggered.

Potentially of more significance is the planned arrival of Rene Hake from Go Ahead Eagles and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been out of work since quitting as PSV Eindhoven manager in 2023 as part of Ten Hag's revamped coaching team.

With Dan Ashworth - who put his name to United's statement in his first public utterances as sporting director - now in place and Omar Berrada taking over as chief executive within a fortnight - the structures will soon be in place that Sir Jim Ratcliffe felt were missing before.

Shortly, there will be no excuses for Ten Hag.

Any semblance of another eighth-placed finish and he will not even get close to reaching the end of this repackaged new contract.