If Erik ten Hag had any doubts about the magnitude of the task facing him at Manchester United, they quickly dissipated in the space of 10 minutes on Sunday afternoon.
Pascal Gross’ first-half double saw United go in 2-0 down at half-time against Brighton in his first competitive game as manager, and although they improved after the break and fought back to 2-1, the new era still got off to the worst possible start.
The club is once again in crisis, with a fragile, imbalanced squad, an unfit star man in Cristiano Ronaldo who has openly said he wants to leave, an unpopular captain, and several players not at the required level. And that’s just on the pitch.
Fans are divided – literally fighting amongst themselves – and protesting against the hated Glazer owners, who are taking money out of the club and seemingly not backing the team in the transfer market.
Moreover, there are plenty of high-profile ex-players and pundits in the media willing to pour scorn on the club’s situation – meaning the pressure is on Ten Hag to sort things out quickly.
So below, in no particular order, Sportsmail looks at the ten things the Dutchman needs to sort out to get United’s season back on track.
If Erik ten Hag (pictured) had any doubts about the magnitude of the task facing him at Manchester United, they quickly dissipated in the space of 10 minutes on Sunday afternoon
The club were beaten 2-1 by Brighton at Old Trafford in their Premier League opener on Sunday
1. Clear the decks
It’s a case of nine down, several more to go for Manchester United.
They’ve already got rid of Lee Grant (retired), Dean Henderson, Alex Telles (both loan), Andreas Pereira (sold) and Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard (released). But the squad rejuvenation is far from over.
Defenders Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, as well as Tahith Chong, are surplus to requirements but the club is evidently having trouble shifting the players, many of whom are on big wages, relative to their contribution.
Suitable loans should also be found for youngsters like Di’Shon Bernard, Ethan Laird, Ethan Galbraith, and potentially talented teenagers like Will Fish, Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage.
Ten Hag will want a lean and hungry squad with no passengers – the club has around three weeks to help him achieve that.
There is plenty for Ten Hag to do to sort things out – including selling players like Phil Jones
2. Finally sign a…