If Erik ten Hag has told the Manchester United hierarchy that restoring the club’s domestic and European dominance will take five years, he is pulling the wool over their eyes. It will take a lot longer than that.
When the Dutchman is finally announced as the new permanent manager, there will be the usual talk of a long-term plan. The board will say it because they have seen what stability has brought to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, while any incoming manager will say it because he will want to buy time.
David Moyes, remember, was on a six-year project at Old Trafford, which lasted barely ten months. But Ten Hag will not only need at least five years, he will need the green light to be ruthless from the start.
