Manchester United followers are getting used to the routine by now. In the ten years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, there have been intervals of despair, adopted by hope, after which again to despair.

Not so way back there was optimism round Old Trafford, prompted by Erik ten Hag’s first season in cost, however this week has been a foul one even by United’s requirements. Barely a month into the brand new marketing campaign, Ten Hag is having to take care of a protracted damage listing, accusations of abuse surrounding winger Antony and a public rift with ahead Jadon Sancho.

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In the background, there stays criticism of the way the club handled the Mason Greenwood case, plus uncertainty caused by the ownership situation. It’s approaching a yr because the Glazer household introduced it may promote, however the two most important bidders, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, are nonetheless at midnight about whether or not they may ever achieve success.

On high of every part else, performances on the pitch have been underwhelming — United have misplaced two of their first 4 video games — and up subsequent is a difficult run of fixtures in opposition to Brighton & Hove Albion, Bayern Munich and Burnley.

It’s not panic stations simply but, but when nothing else, the previous decade has proven that United have the flexibility to unravel in a short time. Just ask two of Ten Hag’s most up-to-date predecessors.

Jose Mourinho’s staff completed second within the Premier League and reached the FA Cup last in 2017-18, however by December he had been sacked after a run of poor outcomes coupled with dressing room unrest. It was the same story for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose squad completed second and reached the Europa League last in 2020-21, however he was passed by the next November.

Crucially for Ten Hag, he nonetheless holds the assist of the followers and the bulk of the gamers, however already Brighton’s go to on Saturday appears like an enormous one. Brighton beat United twice final season, and so they’re nonetheless the final away staff to win a Premier League sport at Old Trafford after their 2-1 victory in August 2022. In between the 2 league video games was a good FA Cup semifinal that United ultimately received on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Wembley, making for lots of nerves amongst followers concerning the risk posed by Roberto de Zerbi’s aspect.

To make issues tougher for Ten Hag, he is more likely to be lacking first-choice centre-back Raphaël Varane in addition to long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Mason Mount has missed the previous two video games although damage, and new signing Sofyan Amrabat withdrew from the Morocco squad final week as a result of of a again grievance.

Antony can be unavailable whereas on a go away of absence so as to deal with the allegations of abuse made by three girls. There are additionally doubts round Sancho’s future after he selected to go head-to-head together with his supervisor over the explanations he was axed for the defeat to Arsenal.

Selection issues have reached such some extent that on Tuesday, United had been compelled to disclaim curiosity in Anwar El Ghazi, a free agent after leaving PSV Eindhoven however finest remembered in England for spells at Aston Villa and Everton.

Ten Hag has credit score within the financial institution after ending third and profitable the Carabao Cup final season, however poor outcomes in opposition to Brighton and Bayern would enhance the strain forward of a clumsy journey to face Burnley beneath the floodlights at Turf Moor.

The Dutchman is not the sort to moan about his hand, however as he approaches 18 months within the job, he should generally surprise what he is signed up for. The 53-year-old former Ajax coach isn’t solely battling enormous expectations at one of the largest golf equipment on the earth, but in addition a decade of unhealthy selections — completely summed up by Eric Bailly‘s free switch to Besiktas final week.

Bailly, a £30m defender when he arrived from Villarreal in 2016, signed a three-year contract in April 2021, however between placing pen to paper and heading for the exit, the Ivory Coast worldwide made simply 13 first-team appearances. It’s removed from an remoted state of affairs.

Marcos Rojo signed a three-year contract in March 2018, however managed simply 17 appearances earlier than leaving, first to Estudiantes on mortgage after which to Boca Juniors on a free switch in February 2021. Chris Smalling performed 16 instances between signing a brand new three-year contract in December 2018 and becoming a member of AS Roma — initially on mortgage — in August 2019. Phil Jones featured in 21 video games between signing a four-year deal in February 2019 and leaving on a free in June.

In complete, United handed out 13 years’ price of contracts to 4 gamers and obtained a return of 67 appearances. It’s little surprise that this summer season’s switch funds was so squeezed by monetary honest play constraints, however it does not cease there.

Donny van de Beek, not price a spot on this season’s 25-man Champions League squad based on Ten Hag, has accomplished 90 minutes in a Premier League sport simply thrice since arriving from Ajax for £35m in 2020. Harry Maguire continues to be the costliest defender on the earth after United signed him from Leicester City for £80m in 2019 and he is now the membership’s fourth-choice centre-back.

Sancho is the membership’s fifth-most-expensive signing at £73m, however little greater than two years on from being one of Europe’s brightest younger gamers at Borussia Dortmund, he is the topic of a suggestion from Al Ettifaq and United are keen to entertain the Saudi Pro League aspect’s method. Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Ángel Di María — all on the listing of United’s 10 most-expensive signings ever and all unmitigated disasters.

The listing goes on and on.

It’s throughout weeks like this that the dimensions of Ten Hag’s activity at Old Trafford turns into obvious. He is making an attempt to unravel years of mismanagement to a degree the place he can construct a squad succesful of difficult for the trophies that Ferguson used to win usually. In the quick time period, although, his focus can be on Brighton and incomes a outcome that may assist regular the ship.

Once once more, the storm clouds are gathering.