All it takes is for a couple of wins and a couple of transfers and then things start to look that little bit brighter. The lead-up to Manchester United's pre-season tour was all doom and gloom as the going had been slow in the transfer market, with Tyrell Malacia the only new face added, and Cristiano Ronaldo making it known he wants to leave Old Trafford.
But just over a week later and optimism is beginning to build again. Erik ten Hag looks to already be making a big impact on the players with a new style of play evident and he has now managed to further strengthen his squad with the signings of Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.
The free signing of elegant playmaker Eriksen was confirmed on Friday while the club announced that a deal has been agreed with Ajax for versatile defender Martinez on Sunday afternoon. ALSO READ: Manchester United confirm Lisandro Martinez transfer It's still not clear if Ten Hag intends for his first three signings to be immediate starters but there is now at least potential for United to have a significantly different starting XI to the one that did so poorly last season.
Luke Shaw has started both pre-season friendlies so far so he seems to still be the first choice left-back but Malacia will certainly be pushing him for a place and could start matches instead.