SIR JIM RATCLIFFE made a spectacular U-turn by sticking with Erik ten Hag, and then began talks on a new contract with the Manchester United manager.

Following a two-week end-of-season evaluation, the Dutchman was given the green light last night to stay at Old Trafford for the following season.

Erik ten Hag is poised to stay the manager of Manchester United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a part-owner of New United, has decided to continue with Ten Hag following his end-of-season review. Despite meeting with Thomas Tuchel last weekend, Ratcliffe was unable to reach an agreement with the former Bayern Munich manager.

And now United has confirmed that Ten Hag, who had a 12-month contract, will stay on the position.

Ten Hag, 54, appeared to be doomed after his team finished eighth in the Premier League, the club’s lowest place ever, and missed out on Champions League football.

However, the former Ajax manager led United to FA Cup victory by defeating Premier League winners and rivals Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 25.

Despite winning his second prize in two years, Ten Hag, who declared that if he was removed from his position, he would “win trophies elsewhere,” was kept waiting to hear his destiny.

United explored all candidates, including German Tuchel, who has decided to take a managerial hiatus, England manager Gareth Southgate, Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter, Kieran McKenna, Roberto De Zerbi, and Thomas Frank.

However, Ratcliffe’s Ineos eventually judged that Ten Hag was the best candidate for the role after reviewing the entire campaign and first-team operations.

Ten Hag, who was photographed yesterday with his wife on vacation in Ibiza, also conducted positive conversations with the United hierarchy on Tuesday.

Confirmation arrived late last night that he is staying on and will soon meet with the club’s senior brass to discuss next season’s roster and how the team will move forward.

Ratcliffe has already introduced changes behind the scenes in a new management structure, with chief executive Omar Berrarda set to start next month, alongside director of football Dan Ashworth, who is slated to join from Newcastle.

Technical director Jason Wilcox has been working with Ratcliffe, Sir David Brailsford, and Jean Claude Blanc.

The news of Ten Hag’s reprieve will be welcomed by a huge portion of the United fan base, who stood by the manager despite a difficult league campaign marred by injuries.

United’s stunning Wembley victory over Pep Guardiola’s side, as well as the quality of their performance, only strengthened their belief that he should be given more time.

Ten Hag now has two major titles in as many seasons as manager, after winning the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup against Newcastle in his first season.

Ten Hag’s good work in developing young players such as England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho is thought to have been well received, and it was consistent with the club’s legacy of providing a pathway for budding talents to prosper at Old Trafford.

The administration also acknowledged the club’s catastrophic injury record and expressed confidence that important additions Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund, as well as the injured Mason Mount, will improve after their rookie seasons.

Ten Hag is now free to prepare for the forthcoming campaign without worrying about his future.

He has won both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup after being appointed in the summer of 2022.

Another busy summer beckons as United seeks to put last season’s league struggles behind them.

The Red Devils are believed to be looking for a new striker, with Ivan Toney apparently on their shortlist.

Meanwhile, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to step in for Raphael Varane, who is set to leave.