Ineos might have redeemed themselves with Ruben Amorim decision at Manchester United

Manchester United's fixture list between the October and November international breaks always looked favourable on paper.

Five of their seven assignments between the second and third pauses of the season were at Old Trafford, meaning Erik ten Hag, after being granted a stay of execution during the October pause, must have fancied his chances of salvaging his United premiership, or at least delaying the inevitable.

United, to their credit, were much-improved against Brentford in what turned out to be Ten Hag's final home game in charge, but they came unstuck against Fenerbahce and West Ham United on the road. The defeat to West Ham, as harsh and as controversial as it was, was the final straw. Less than 24 hours later, Ten Hag was pointed in the direction of the exit.

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Despite winning the FA Cup in May, a lot of United supporters were still insistent the Dutchman should have gone at the end of last season. An eighth-placed finish in the Premier League was simply unacceptable for a club of United's stature.

Almost 160 days later, Ineos made the decision that had long since felt inevitable. As this reporter argued last month, it was Ineos that was under greater pressure than Ten Hag as the conclusion of his tenure neared, highlighting that their dawdling and indecisiveness had put United in a position that could have been avoided.

But what's done is done. You cannot turn the clock back. Ten Hag is gone and now the challenge lies at the feet of Ruben Amorim, who was successfully installed as United's new head coach on Friday.

He will officially take