Erik ten Hag hailed the 'positive' completion of Manchester United's partial takeover by INEOS billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe after marking the first match of his tenure with a win against Aston Villa.
Ratcliffe's purchase of a 25 per cent share of the club for £1.3billion was completed on Christmas Eve after months of negotiations and Premier League ratification of the deal in the new year will see the petrochemicals magnate take control of football operations.
But Man United got the unofficial start of Ratcliffe's reign off on the right note with a home victory at Old Trafford overseen by INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford in the stands for the first time.