Erik ten Hag is delighted with INEOS’ investment (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag says everyone at Manchester United is ‘optimistic’ ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion investment in the club going through.

Manchester United announced on Christmas Eve that Ratcliffe has agreed to buy a 25% stake in the club, which will increase to around 29% next year.

The deal, which must be ratified by the Premier League, will see Ratcliffe given control of football operations at the club.

The 71-year-old met Ten Hag for the first time since the deal was announced last week, and spent hours in the Dutchman’s company alongside Sir Dave Brailsford.

Brailsford is conducting an audit of the club, and will look to appoint a sporting director and head of recruitment once its completed.

Ten Hag has been given autonomy over United’s transfer business since joining the club and his signings have been mixed, with notable failures in Antony and Andre Onana.

Ratcliffe met Ten Hag last week (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

And the Dutchman says he’s ‘optimistic’ that INEOS’ investment will help turn United’s fortunes around.

‘It is an inspiration. Everyone is optimistic,’ said Ten Hag.

‘There is a lot of work to do. We’ve had a lot of setbacks and I think in the summer we were in a good way but it’s a project, we’ve to deal with some setbacks but we will keep alive, survive it.’

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