Manchester United kick off the Erik ten Hag era this afternoon, with the Dutchman hoping to reverse the fortunes of what has been an increasingly failing club in recent times.
Despite their standing in the game and the money they have spent in recent seasons, the club have found it increasingly difficult to compete at the top level over the last few years. Last season was their worst in the Premier League era in terms of points won.
Ten Hag will be hoping to earn a position in the top four in the upcoming campaign, although they look like outsiders to do so at the moment.
If they are to have a good campaign, it is clear that some seismic and immediate changes will be required.
Roy Keane on Erik ten Hag's biggest challenge
Changing the culture at the club will be a massive ask.
The dressing room at Manchester United seems to be a rotten one, with the club having huge issues with the attitude of the squad and leaks in the press last season. Erik ten Hag will need to alter that quickly, especially as Cristiano Ronaldo continues to push for a move away from the club.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Roy Keane said it will be a big task to change the culture at Old Trafford.
🗣 "There's a lot of PR from United. They're training properly? Praise the lord that's what you're supposed to do."
Roy Keane says Erik ten Hag's biggest challenge is changing the culture at Manchester United pic.twitter.com/k5Elpj5iwG— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 7, 2022
They mention there about the recruitment, you hope he has got that power there with the people above him.
There has obviously been big changes in terms of the chief executive. You'd hope that would be reasonably straightforward, but there have definitely been issues there with previous managers in terms of getting the players that they wanted to get in. That's a huge part of the game.
There's no doubt that he's a brilliant coach. His CV is fantastic and the players are enjoying it, but need that strength in depth that they haven't got.
He has also mentioned in a number of his interviews about the culture at the club, which has to change. We've seen too many games with United last year of players not working hard, not running, not sprinting. He has to change that mindset because United do have a lot of talented players.
There is stuff coming out during pre-season, a lot of noise and PR from United about how the players have embraced him, that they're training on time and training properly.
Well, praise the lord! That's what you're supposed to do. You have to train hard, you have to work hard, your talent can only bring you so far.
I think that's his biggest challenge, changing the culture at Manchester United. Clearly, there has been something amiss in the last few years.
A title push seems out of the question for United this season, meaning top four will be the goal.
It is likely that they will be competing with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Spurs for two spots in the Champions League next season, with Manchester City and Liverpool looking like the likely top two as things stand.
United's squad compares poorly to the three clubs they will be competing against, meaning further transfer business is a must in the weeks ahead. In saying that, Roy Keane believes they can compete for the top four if they get another couple of faces through the door.
🗣 "They have to get top 4."
Roy Keane believes if Manchester United recruit well before the end of the window then top 4 is realistic pic.twitter.com/2FlBa3axwK— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 7, 2022
Success for Manchester United would have to be getting in the top four. For all of their problems, they still have some talented players.
I think if they get some player in in the next few weeks (it is realistic), that's the question come the end of the month.
At this moment in time you'd say that they're probably not one of the favourites for the top four, but if they can get the couple of deals done that they're after, you'd have to say that Manchester United still have enough in their locker to compete.
United fans have preached patience in recent times, but it will be interesting to see how they react if the same old problems reappear over the course of the campaign.
It will certainly be an interesting season at Old Trafford.
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