The transfer window is finally in the rearview mirror after two months of chaos, conflicting reports, and excitement over rumours.
The focus now turns completely to on-pitch matters, and the time for Erik ten Hag and his men to deliver is now.
Only this time, there can be no excuses as the team off the pitch has delivered in remarkable fashion by strengthening the squad with surgical precision.
It was also the summer in which Manchester United netted more than £100 million in sales, aiding their ability to sign players.
At the end of the window, it is clear that barring freak injury worries, Ineos have assembled a world-class XI for Ten Hag. Here’s how it looks
(Note: Formation is 4-2-3-1 because Ten Hag won’t persist with playing without a striker after buying another in the window)
Goalkeeper- Andre Onana
This was one position they didn’t need to touch this summer after an overhaul last year and that proved to be the case. Onana came through last season’s growing pains to improve near the end and he has kept up the momentum this season too so far.
With better players in front of him, his game will only improve further and that is an exciting prospect for the fans
Striker- Joshua Zirkzee
This is not a damning statement on Rasmus Hojlund, who has limitless potential and his ceiling is arguably higher than Zirkzee, but the Dutchman’s arrival will finally help Hojlund into the role he should have had since arrival- a spark plug off the bench.
Zirkzee’s style of play can make the attack tick as he brings wingers into play with smart layoffs. He showed against Fulham that he crashes the box at the right time to finish chances too.
If United play with two “score-first” inverted wingers, and a world-class finisher in Bruno Fernandes, then it makes sense for Zirkzee to play instead of Hojlund, who’s more of an old-fashioned striker.
Ultimately, having multiple options gives Ten Hag the ability to set the team up as per the opposition and that’s exactly what Ineos have provided him with.
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