Erik ten Hag has never shied away from talk of silverware and Champions League football since joining Manchester United. The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford a winner and is determined to maintain that reputation by the time he leaves.
Easier said than done, however, and not least because of the seemingly impenetrable duopoly of Liverpool and Manchester City, two of United's greatest rivals who have dominated the English game for the last five seasons. It was because of their superiority, and the new-found wealth of Chelsea and Newcastle United, that lofty expectations of those around M16 were lowered - or put on hold, at least.
But as January turns to February, that expectation has returned. City and Liverpool have stumbled, while Chelsea have spent big and improved little. United won nine games in a row before drawing against Crystal Palace and have only lost twice in the Premier League since mid-October.
