Erik ten Hag is showing why he made controversial Manchester United transfer statement

Jose Mourinho was destined to be sacked after Manchester United's preparation in the summer of 2018. Mourinho revealed during United’s tour of the USA that he was keen for more new recruits and he later admitted he was not happy with the squad.

The tension between Mourinho and Ed Woodward was palpable for the journalists reporting on that pre-season tour, but the manager felt he needed to be honest in his press conferences to protect his reputation, which explained his brazen assessment of the squad. United were not giving Mourinho what he needed in the transfer market and he understood that would lead to defeats.

Although it's routine for journalists to ask whether managers are happy with their squads during pre-season, only a few respond with an answer that will generate a story and Mourinho is considered within that minority. The majority of managers smile when they are asked that question, they are agreeable and they politely nod their heads, while insisting they are happy with their squad.

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The majority of managers give a suitably mundane answer to that routine question. They might have privately expressed their frustration to the board, but they are expected to toe the party line in public, to maintain harmony and prevent disruption.

The managers who defy that expectation already know their cards have been marked. Mourinho was aware of that at Old Trafford in 2018, Scott Parker knew that when saying his Bournemouth squad was not good enough in August and Brendan Rodgers seems the latest to have accepted his fate. Rodgers has criticised the lack of investment at Leicester and his days at the club are numbered.

Such candid interviews are