Transfers create pressure for Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is one step closer to playing an all-former-Ajax back five after the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. With André Onana and Lisandro Martínez already in position, the head coach’s influence in transfer activity is clear. What this means, however, is that Ten Hag will not be left with many excuses if the defence is not up to scratch. The vast majority of new players arriving in the Premier League need time to settle, but how much can they be afforded given the need to get off to a good start? They should all know how the manager wants them to operate, having worked with him before, but whether they can function as a unit remains to be seen. Fulham won at Old Trafford last season and are capable of doing it again, which would put United on the back foot from the start. With a difficult trip to Brighton followed by Liverpool at home, United’s new defence must harmonise quickly, otherwise the pressure will be on. Will Unwin
