Erik ten Hag agrees to extend contract with Manchester United until June 2026 with warning that there will be ‘hard work ahead’

Erik ten Hag has agreed a contract extension with Manchester United and warned there is “hard work ahead” as the club ramp up their summer recruitment drive.

Ten Hag’s position as manager was uncertain despite United’s FA Cup triumph over Manchester City with his existing deal set to expire next summer, but the club have moved to back the Dutchman by triggering the option to prolong his contract until 2026.

Though United have not agreed a new contract, and Ten Hag’s salary will remain the same, senior officials at the Ineos ownership have decided to back him for the forthcoming season.

United are preparing for a busy summer in the transfer window and this week confirmed the appointment of Dan Ashworth as the club’s new sporting director.

Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is a target, while United have already had a bid turned down for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. United will also seek reinforcements in attacking areas.

Ten Hag, who has won two trophies in his time at Old Trafford, is now targeting further success after revealing the club’s “complete unity in vision” to compete for silverware.

“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.”

United finished eighth in the Premier League last season and were also knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.

However, they ended a disappointing season on a high with victory over Manchester City at Wembley and Ten Hag has survived an extensive review of the campaign by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ashworth 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.”