Erik ten Hag is failing where he thought he'd succeeded at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag arrived at Manchester United with a mission statement. He wanted to change the 'no good culture' he found when he arrived at Old Trafford, as well getting some silverware along the way.

“It is constructing a winning culture, and it starts in the week at Carrington: by high standards, by good values and work," he told club media ahead of his first season in charge. “Work [as a] consequence of that, work on the way of playing and in the end you will achieve success.”

For a while, it looked like Ten Hag had achieved his aim but the new season has shown he isn't even close. United's injury crisis can't go unmentioned when discussing their horrid start to the new season - every team would feel the impact of losing three of their first choice back four as well as another five-eight players - yet, it still seems to be a deeper problem at Old Trafford.

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The fish rots from the head and as the Glazers' incompetent running of the club continues and fans lose hope and optimism for a takeover ever being completed, it all trickles down from the top to effect those down the totem pole. No business can thrive when those in charge are clueless or apathetic.

But simultaneously, Erik ten Hag got to spend a further £200m this past summer and his side has gone backwards. A year ago, the Dutchman was making players considerably better individually and moulding the grey lump of lifeless clay he inherited into a cohesive, exciting unit.

Last season was far from perfect with some humiliating defeats by Manchester City and Liverpool along the way but for the first