Revealed: Erik ten Hag RETAINS final say on Man United transfers - despite the arrivals of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox - as terms on Dutchman's £9m contract extension don't change

Erik ten Hag will hold onto his title as Manchester United manager, and a veto over new signings, after extending his contract at Old Trafford until June 2026.

It was thought that co-owners Ineos might re-define Ten Hag's role as more of a head coach with less control over recruitment as part of the deal to keep him in charge for another two years.

But the terms of Ten Hag's £9million-a-year contract will stay the same after he signed a 12-month extension on Thursday.

The timing is significant with the first of United's non-international players due back for pre-season training at Carrington on Monday.

United remain in talks with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake over becoming Ten Hag's new assistants, and it's hoped that both Dutchmen could be in place by the start of the week.

Manager Erik ten Hag extended his Manchester United contract by 12 months on Thursday

Ten Hag, who led United to FA Cup glory in May, will continue to have the final say on transfers

Ten Hag pictured being embraced by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after May's FA Cup final

Current No.2 Mitchell van Gaag is likely to leave United while fellow assistant Steve McClaren remains in talks over his role.

Ten Hag admitted that United have to step up another level after he oversaw the club's worst-ever Premier League finish last season and finished bottom of the Champions League group. Victory in the FA Cup final salvaged a difficult campaign and helped to keep the 54-year-old in a job.

'I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together,' he said.

'Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined.

'However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles.

'In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision for reaching those goals, and we are all strongly committed to making that journey together.'

Ten Hag's signings have included Christian Eriksen (left), Casemiro (centre) and Antony (right)

United recently appointed Dan Ashworth as sporting director and he will work with Ten Hag

Jason Wilcox (centre) has been working as United's technical director since April this year

The new contract indicates increased support for Ten Hag from a leadership team that includes new sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

Ashworth, who started work this week after United agreed a compensation deal with his old club Newcastle, said: 'With two trophies in the past two seasons, Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in European football.

'While the club's review of last season highlighted areas for improvement, it also reached a clear conclusion that Erik was the best partner for us to work with in driving up standards and outcomes.

'This group of players and staff have already shown they are capable of competing and winning at the top level; now we need to do it more consistently. With our strengthened football leadership team now in place, we are looking forward to working hand-in-hand with Erik to achieve our shared ambitions for this football club.'

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