Erik ten Hag comments suggest Manchester United could soon face transfer window regret

Having won two trophies in as many seasons, it is easy to understand why Erik ten Hag is gauging progression on silverware.

The Manchester United manager is proud of leading the club to the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. The former saw Ten Hag win a trophy at the first available opportunity, while the FA Cup success against Manchester City in May kept him in a job.

United have fast become a club more prosperous in cup competitions than progressing in the Premier League. Later this month, United will kick off their Carabao Cup campaign, welcoming Barnsley to Old Trafford, before hosting FC Twente in their Europa League opener eight days later. United will have ambitions of going deep into both competitions.

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United will also want to defend their FA Cup crown. In the event of reaching the final of all three competitions they face the prospect of playing 67 matches. They played 52 times last season and 62 in 2022/23. The new-look Europa League format means United will play eight games in the first phase of the competition, a rise of two, and the prospect of a play-off round would add two more fixtures in February.

Ten Hag is going to require as many options as possible to keep his squad fresh. He will also be praying United's luck changes on the injury front.

United strengthened their squad in key areas in the summer and each position is now covered with two or more options, giving Ten Hag a sufficient level of depth when everyone is fit and available. But for all of United's success in the summer, concerns have been raised about their failure to