MANCHESTER, England (AP) — It’s been a memorable week for Manchester United.
After an epic meeting with Barcelona and at least two takeover bids, a 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday kept Erik ten Hag’s side firmly in the Premier League title chase.
It’s fair to say there’s a lot going on on and off the pitch at a club entering a new era.
With offers from Qatar and billionaire fan Jim Ratcliffe confirmed after Friday’s deadline for initial offers, Old Trafford was already in a celebratory mood, with many fans eagerly anticipating the departure of the unpopular current American owners, the Glazer family. .
But Ten Hag also gives them plenty to applaud with the impact he has had on a team that has passed 10 years since winning the league title for the last time under former iconic manager Alex Ferguson.
No wonder a top group of fans insisted before kick-off that the Dutchman must be an integral part of any new owner’s plans.
“After the frustrations of the past decade, it is clear that huge progress is being made,” United’s Supporters’ Trust said on Sunday. “Any potential bidder must make an explicit commitment to support Erik and his plans to return United to glory.”
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ratcliffe have both promised to return United to their former glories and it is not yet clear how many other offers have been submitted to investment bank Raine Group by Friday’s deadline.
But Ten Hag is doing a pretty impressive job of turning the club’s situation around, even without the help of new owners, as his side remain in contention to win four trophies in his first season in charge.
The win over Leicester kept the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table and Ten Hag says the takeover will not be allowed to become a distraction.
“We are committed to this club, it is our club, in our hearts, but it is not our job (to talk about the sale),” he said. “We focus on football and performance and that’s what the players and the staff have to do.”
Whether Ten Hag likes it or not, the subject of United’s next owner isn’t going away.
There were repeated chants of ‘We want the Glazers out’ during the Leicester game and a fan had a message of opposition to Sheikh Jassim, with a sign that simply read ‘No to Qatar’.
Qatar has been criticized for its treatment of migrant workers in the build-up to last year’s World Cup and for its human rights record.
After United’s LGBTQ supporters’ group, the Rainbow Devils, expressed “deep concern” about some offers, the Supporters’ Trust added that it had noted “the importance of any owner respecting the rights of all , especially women and the LGBTQ+ community.”
On the pitch, Ten Hag’s side are on a roll and face a tough week, which includes the second leg of the Europa League qualifier against Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday and then the League Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley three days later.
The 2-2 draw with Barca at the Nou Camp was the latest indication United were ready to challenge Europe’s top flight again and the second leg was on Ten Hag’s mind as he spoke to supporters in going to the locker room after Leicester.
“I say come on Thursday. It’s a great game, make sure you’re there and we’ll beat Barcelona together,” he said afterwards.
If Rashford continues his current form, there’s every chance the fans will celebrate again after this game.
The striker has scored 16 goals in his last 17 games and a career high 24 for the season.
Jadon Sancho also showed signs he was on his way back to peak form as he came off the bench to seal the win which left United three points behind second-placed Manchester City and five behind leaders Arsenal.
Not that Ten Hag was happy with his side’s first-half performance, which saw Leicester come close to taking the lead twice before Rashford scored.
“We have to follow the rules and principles of the way we play. When you don’t, it becomes a mess,” Ten Hag said. “When you face a good opponent like Leicester, you concede chances. It’s only because of David de Gea that we don’t concede a goal. We were very lucky at half-time, we had a goal in advance – a nice pass from Bruno (Fernandes), a nice finish from Rashy. But the rest is crap.”
FIGHT FOR TOP FOUR
Newcastle’s recent slump is proving costly and Tottenham took full advantage on Sunday as they climbed to fourth in the table.
It looks like fierce competition for the last of the Champions League places, but Spurs led the way after Emerson Royal and Son Heung-min scored in a 2-0 win over West Ham.
The Londoners are now one point ahead of Newcastle, having played one game more.
Liverpool can also be seen as strong contenders after beating Newcastle 2-0 on Saturday.
Newcastle have now failed to win any of their last four league games.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are seven points behind Tottenham with two games less and appear to be regaining their confidence after a difficult season.
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James Robson is on https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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