Manchester United are preparing to enter phase two of the Erik ten Hag era, after a season of encouraging progress and valuable learning.
It rarely happens in the first year; the process has to begin, be bought into, allowed to breathe and believed in - with the bright lights and silverware always the motivation. United are still trying to return to the number one spot in English football, with the noisy neighbours from the other side of the city still very much on that pedestal and showing no signs of stepping down.
So, for now, United must trust ten Hag and his decision making and control what they can control. Admittedly the takeover saga bubbling away in the background is little help to anyone, given the significance of the upcoming summer transfer window at Old Trafford. But this window is one United have to get right and an opportunity to close that daunting gap to Guardiola's relentless blue machine.
