As a concept, the 'big six' in the Premier League just about clung on last season, although Manchester United were much closer to West Ham in seventh than they were to Arsenal in fifth.
United held off the Hammers by two points to secure Europa League football. They were 11 points behind a rebuilding Arsenal, 13 behind a suddenly dangerous Tottenham, 16 adrift of Chelsea and light-years behind Liverpool and Manchester City.
So heading into this summer it was indisputable that United had more work to do than the rest of those clubs. They were the only member of that sextet to change manager but Erik ten Hag hasn't yet been seen to walk on water, so he might need some new players as well.
