Erik ten Hag already has two players that could save Manchester United millions this summer

There is no disguising the size of the challenge awaiting Erik ten Hag at Manchester United this summer.

Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal was another stark reminder of just how much work needs to be done at Old Trafford this summer, both with the personnel within the squad and the shift in culture that the club needs, in a bid to put itself back on the road to recovery. Individual mistakes were, once again, the architects of United's latest collapse and it has reached the stage where nobody is surprised anymore.

The defending from Raphael Varane and Alex Telles in the build up to Nuno Tavares' third-minute opener was far too casual and uninspiring, highlighting exactly why United have conceded nine goals in their last three Premier League outings and boast the worst defensive record of any side currently camped inside the top-eight in the table. They have now shipped in 51 goals in 34 matches this season.

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Whilst Varane, who has been one of United's better defenders this season, and Telles were guilty for the first goal, it was Bruno Fernandes, who had earlier missed the chance to bring Ralf Rangnick's side level from the penalty spot, that was guilty of paving the way for Arsenal to net their third. The Portugal international was caught out by Granit Xhaka and the Swiss midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot, leaving David de Gea with no chance.

Again, United's midfield woes, particularly on the defensive side of the operation, were exposed. It is impossible, by this stage, to keep count of just how many times their lack of a world-class defensive-midfielder has cost them this season.

Although Rangnick, after the defeat to