If Manchester United are ambitious they will show it in the next four weeks

The good news for Manchester United is the early evidence suggests they have an identity again. A progressive style was one of the guarantees of appointing Erik ten Hag and treating matchgoers to watchable football will keep them onside and buy time.

The bad news for United is their squad is weaker than it was this time last year. Their central midfield lacks quality and presence and the depth in attack is so poor it is one injury away from collapsing.

Three signings and two priority positions unfilled in early August with the largest expenditure on a centre-back; it all feels very 2019, the last time United were reeling from finishing sixth and a new manager was getting his feet under the table.

Also read: Ten Hag is giving the United dressing room what it needs

United have more time to fill the final two positions; precisely four weeks. Their transfer activity - a free transfer and two additions from the Eredivisie familiar to their Dutch manager - reflects their underwhelming status as Europa League fodder.

Ten Hag is a more appealing manager to play for than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his cachet has still not convinced Frenkie de Jong. United have discovered the pitfalls of targeting the English market and being levied with its tax. Three years ago, they splurged £140million on Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.

When Ten Hag said he would prefer to sign English players it seemed premeditated, a canny riposte to a query about the Dutch market United he has favoured. United did work on a deal for Kalvin Phillips but that petered out before Ten Hag introduced himself to the press with warm handshakes at Old Trafford on May 22.

Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham would be targets and both are unattainable