Ineos need to make decision on Erik ten Hag before Manchester United transfers

January is the month for change and Manchester United need to decide quite how much they need to make.

It is only natural that transfer dealings will take centre stage as the window re-opens, but there are bigger decisions to be made first before any serious money can be spent.

United are most likely to target loan signings this month as they eye short-term solutions, with the summer window already viewed as the first real opportunity for the Ineos group to make their presence known.

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The club already drafted up provisional plans for the January window months ago and while Sir Jim Ratcliffe's delegation will want to approve any investments, they will need to have a proper sporting structure in place before serious transfer commitments can be made.

Another key aspect will be finalising their long-term plan. Ratcliffe is on a fact-finding mission in Manchester this week to gain priceless insight as well as meet those he will work alongside to try and return the club to its former glory.

More important than any signing he oversees will be determining whether or not Erik ten Hag will be the man to lead them into this new era.

The Dutchman believes United will be a much better team when they welcome back a number of key players from injury this month, but there will be far less room to hide if results do not pick up when they are back in action.

Ten Hag has tried to avoid using the injury situation as an excuse for their recent poor results but has cited it so often that it is clearly on his mind a lot.

Ineos will have no sense of loyalty towards Ten Hag and if results don't pick up, he will ultimately have to pay