Erik ten Hag must change his Manchester United blueprint for long-term success

Erik ten Hag certainly enjoyed a successful first transfer window at Manchester United.

Under the Dutchman's watchful eye, the Reds injected new life into their starting XI thanks to the arrivals of Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Antony – and while Casemiro is yet to be fully integrated into the first team he is sure to provide the Old Trafford outfit with the world-class defensive midfielder they have so desperately lacked for some time.

The Ten Hag rebuild is well underway and the early signs have been largely positive despite disappointing losses to Brentford, Brighton and Real Sociedad. Wins over Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal have lifted United into fifth place in the Premier League, but perhaps more importantly they have shifted the mood and generated a much more positive atmosphere around the club.

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Those early wins should quite rightly be celebrated, but they have been built from a transfer policy Ten Hag will know he ultimately has to change. A distinct theme emerged for United during the summer transfer window as the club were linked with player after player who had come to prominence at one club in particular.

United signings Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Christian Eriksen all developed at Ten Hag's former side Ajax, while the club also unsuccessfully pursued Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, considered a move for his now ex-teammate Sergino Dest before he moved to AC Milan and a move for Jurrien Timber failed to get off the ground. It made sense for Ten Hag to go after players who know his system and with whom he knows exactly what he is getting as he