Joel Glazer's broken Manchester United promise might have condemned Erik ten Hag to failure

Joel Glazer emerged from the shadows to write an open letter to Manchester United supporters in April last year. The European Super League proposal had just collapsed and the anger with the club's American owners had intensified to another, palpable level.

"We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right," Glazer wrote, promising to make amends. The promise was immediately considered futile by supporters and they were right to take that stance - they are not naive. It has been a year since the Glazers promised to put things right and little at the club appears to have changed. The problems at Old Trafford are frustratingly familiar.

Erik ten Hag had raised morale in pre-season and he seemed like the authoritarian personality the dressing room required, but the Dutchman can only work with the squad at his disposal. There have just been three new signings this summer and the starting line up which played against Brighton on Sunday had barely changed. Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez were the only new faces.

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United recorded their lowest Premier League points total of all time last season and it was clear that every position needed to be strengthened. United should have prioritised signing a defensive midfielder and a centre-forward and neither position has been addressed. Ten Hag has been given the club's unwavering support in the transfer market to the extent of foolishness.

The club have been keen to give Ten Hag exactly what he wants this summer and the 52-year-old has signed three players with Eredivisie pedigree. There is a lack of identity and vision at United and they are hoping Ten Hag is a