Erik ten Hag is in danger of contradicting Manchester United transfer stance with David de Gea decision

Ruthlessness.

It's what Manchester United have been missing during a barren decade which has seen little but continued decline. It's what Erik ten Hag has gradually been bringing back.

From the moment he walked through the door at Old Trafford, the new manager has gone about laying down the law and those who are unable or unwilling to follow it will be cast aside. Ten Hag has brought long-lost discipline back to United and has shown no qualms about punishing those, even his best and most important players, who step out of line.

Alejandro Garnacho didn't see the minutes he wanted during pre-season because of a bad attitude, Marcus Rashford was dropped to the bench amid the form of his life because he missed a meeting, Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped completely after refusing to come on and then let go after his explosive interview.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag's decisions have got a response from Lindelof

"I have certain rules [that] must be [followed] off the pitch because when there is no discipline in the rules off the pitch, it will transfer on the pitch," Ten Hag told compatriot Robin van Persie in an interview for BT Sport. "For me [there are] not many rules because I am working with adults. I am working with players who have won everything already in the world."

It's not only the players Ten Hag wants to impose his ruthless edge on, but the club as a whole as well. The Manchester Evening News understands that the Dutchman is pushing for United to be more ruthless with the squad rebuild and push to get rid of players who aren't good enough.

Of the many things United have been terrible at over the years, squad management is perhaps at the top of the list. For a decade they have been hopeless at moving players on.

They have