Erik ten Hag has told Manchester United what he wants from new transfer window signings

For any regular football fan, the job that Erik ten Hag oversaw in his first season at Manchester United may not have appeared all that impressive.

The Dutchman was armed with a huge war chest to transform the landscape of United's squad in last summer's transfer window, spending more than £225million on five permanent additions. But he still had the challenge of moulding it all together and making it work.

United made significant improvements after a disastrous 2021/22 campaign, finishing third in the Premier League and winning the Carabao Cup. They also reached the FA Cup final, meaning they were only one victory away from completing a domestic double.

Manchester City stopped them reaching that milestone, but the 2022/23 campaign was a success for United. Ten Hag gave the club an identity again and created some memories that will last a lifetime for some.

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Much of his good work was inspired by his summer signings, particularly the additions of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro. They brought the energy, passion and desire to win that had been lacking in the years prior to Ten Hag's arrival.

Both players wear their heart on the sleeve and display the passion levels that every supporter, regardless of which club they follow, wants to see. They are mentally strong and are driven by the ambition and hunger of wanting to win, just like their manager.

Though United were heavily criticised for investing such lavish amounts of money in Martinez and Casemiro, they were their two best buys of the 2022/23 season, not least because of their passion levels and the immediate impact they had on the rest of the group. Martinez exceeded expectations beyond