Erik ten Hag decision gives Manchester United the brutal opportunity they need

Erik ten Hag ending his contract with Ajax early could kick start an organised pre-season – something which Manchester United have badly lacked in recent years. With ten Hag apparently planning Zoom talks with every player, there should be hope that the uncertain futures of some players can be clarified quickly.

Rapidly completing the off-field preparation, combined with a shortened holiday for the players, should give him the time on the training pitch the Dutchman demands.

This will go some way to rectifying a problem that has plagued United for several years. None of last summer’s three singings of Raphael Varane Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a proper pre-season with their new teammates.

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All three were participated at the Euros which delayed their arrival to mid-July. Sancho himself had to cope with the disappointment of missing a penalty in the final for England.

Varane’s entrance was further delayed by COVID and post-Brexit regulations, with the Frenchman only unveiled ahead of United’s first league game against Leeds. Ronaldo meanwhile did not re-sign until deadline day.

Given the lack of a European tournament this summer, pre-season preparations this time round will not be disrupted by that. Details like this may seem insignificant.

Nevertheless, given United’s struggle to find a consistent formation this season, a full pre-season with new blood wouldn’t have gone amiss. This was evidenced in United’s opening 10 Premier League games this season.

United recorded three defeats and two draws during this spell. In addition, the 2020 pre-season was condensed to such an extent that the players only spent five days