Manchester United's worst season for decades is now firmly behind the club. Erik ten Hag's tenure is well under way and the Dutchman has made a strong impression during his first weeks in charge, impressing on this summer's pre-season tour.
Ten Hag has been straight talking in press conferences and that approach has extended to the training pitch. Although one source described some of his communication in training as 'blunt', the players are responding to his methods.
The distraction of Cristiano Ronaldo's future has threatened to derail Ten Hag's first summer in charge, but he couldn't be handling the situation much better, which has eased concerns over his suitability to manage a club with the stature of United. ALSO READ: Where Manchester United stand in the transfer window. Ten Hag has managed Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II, Utrecht and Ajax.
That's not the ordinary path to managing at Old Trafford and United are hoping Ten Hag is far from an ordinary manager, as the size of the challenge ahead should not be underestimated.