Erik ten Hag is owed a few apologies. His appointment always represented somewhat of a gamble, given his prior top-level success was limited to Dutch football. Now it is looking like a risk that will pay off.
Manchester United have a clear identity in the way they want to play, a fresh determination to battle until the end and are showing signs of swagger as they continue to adapt to their new approach.
The key to that has been the players Ten Hag signed in the summer. The United manager ran the risk of ridicule by putting so much trust in personnel he knew so well from Dutch football; such was his belief that he, and a string of players, could make the tricky transition to the Premier League.
