Erik ten Hag ruthless comments are exactly what Manchester United need

There is light at the end of the tunnel after a dark season for Manchester United. This weekend's trip to Crystal Palace will finally signal the end of the calamitous campaign which saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked, with the final whistle at Selhurst Park a chance to wipe clean the slate for a fresh start under Erik ten Hag.

The 52-year-old has been welcomed with a lengthy to-do list on his office desk and the daunting task of trying to fix as many issues as he can in his first summer at the club.

For many fans, the talk of transfers is what appeals most, and there can be no ignoring the fact that the first-team squad is certainly in need of rejuvenation.

READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho has added to Manchester United dilemma

United need fresh recruits even before they lose six players for free at the end of the season, with a handful of fringe players also in contention to leave if Ten Hag is happy to risk such an extensive overhaul.

Ralf Rangnick has already suggested as many as 10 new signings might be needed this summer, a claim which didn't go down too well with club officials, who believe his comments to have been over-exaggerated in order to emphasise his point.

As United have seen previously, a new manager can spark fresh life and belief into a previously underachieving squad, and Ten Hag might well be able to make a drastic change without the drastic transfer activity suggested.

Instead, the most seismic changes this summer could come in the form of the mentality instilled by Ten Hag.

"I think that with me in charge ... I made Ajax play the Ajax way," he said last month. "With always the intention to play great, and to play good. With adventure and beauty. There is a bigger winning mentality here now."

It might