Erik ten Hag has shown a ruthless streak as Manchester United manager. AFP Photo

Paul Kennedy

Much to my dismay, it seems Erik ten Hag is finding his feet at Manchester United in a major way. His team are the only English club still in with a chance of four trophies this year.

I don’t for one minute think they will win the Premier League this season, but they’re definitely a good shout for a cup success.

He’s been strict, for sure. The way he handled Marcus Rashford is a case in point. The striker was apparently 30 minutes late for a team meeting and ten Hag showed his ruthless side, dropping him for the next match.

Since his return, Rashford has been on fire.

And of course, enough has been written about Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from United, which I’m sure was ultimately the manager’s decision.

It’s been a while coming, but it looks like United could be back on track to return to their former glory. But I still think there is a sticking point.

Ten Hag has created unity at United which hasn’t been seen for a while. But their current squad is limited, and in my opinion, if they are to challenge for titles and Champions Leagues, they need to be much wiser in the transfer window.

I get that the current boss has been limited in his spending powers, and has only had one window to bring in new players, but to get back to the dizzy heights of days gone by, he needs to buy, and buy well.

Although he scored a cracker against Charlton in the Carabao Cup, Brazilian striker Antony, the $100 million acquisition from Ajax in the summer, hasn’t exactly lived up to his price tag.

Only this week it was reported that United chiefs accept they paid over the odds for the forward, and ten Hag himself said there is much room for the player to improve.

Mystery surrounds Jadon Sancho, who isn’t even training with the first team at the moment, and it looks like club captain Harry Maguire, who cost United another $100 million, could leave in the January window.

In the not-too-distant past, United made some very costly mistakes when it came to buying players. This time around, and this transfer window in particular, ten Hag needs to get it right.

It’s all well and good getting decent results this season so far, but to step up, and challenge the likes of Manchester City for the title, the Dutchman needs to show his skills finding, and convincing the right players to join his Old Trafford work in progress.

It’s been fun for all non-United supporters to watch the club struggle over the past few seasons. But if ten Hag gets things right in the transfer window, I don’t think it will be too long before they are once again a force to be reckoned with.

Next up for them is a home match against Manchester City, who lost in the EFL Cup this week to Southampton. If United win and get one over their biggest rivals, then 2023 will start looking even brighter for the Old Trafford faithful. — VNS