Ten Hag opens up on 'very positive' first meeting with Ratcliffe

Erik ten Hag described his first meeting with Jim Ratcliffe as "very positive" but admitted he still has much to learn about the billionaire's plans for Manchester United.

Ratcliffe's INEOS group will assume control of footballing operations once his purchase of a 25% stake in the club has been ratified and he has been in Manchester this week for a series of meetings with United staff.

The talks have been described as an opportunity for Ratcliffe, as well as senior INEOS officials Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, to get to know the club before they start work in earnest.

Ten Hag said: "It was very positive, I have to say. We had a long meeting, many hours we sit together and on many issues we are on the same page, so it was very positive.

"I think from both sides it was a very constructive meeting and we look forward to working with them.

"We have to let it settle down. They're just coming in, introducing themselves.

"They have good ideas. We have to see what we can integrate. In togetherness we will work on that but after one day you can't tell that.

"They have given me a few [ideas], we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together."

Meanwhile, the Dutch coach would not be drawn on reports that winger Jadon Sancho is close to returning to Borussia Dortmund on a loan until the end of the season.

He has not featured since August after a public falling out with Ten Hag and his refusal to apologise for a social media post in which the 23-year-old star said he had been made a "scapegoat".

A January exit has long been expected and Dortmund, the club Sancho left to join United in a £73million deal in 2021, have emerged as the leading contenders for his signature.

Ten Hag explained: "I can't say anything about that.

"We have to wait and see how things are going and when we have news, of course, we will tell you."