John Murtough transfer decisions are giving Erik ten Hag what he wants at Manchester United

A year ago Manchester United jetted off on their first pre-season tour under Erik ten Hag with only one new face in the travelling squad, a serviceable back-up left-back but not someone who was a game-changer for the commercial or footballing department.

Tyrell Malacia was a solid enough signing and has proved to be a reliable player, but of all the permanent arrivals last summer, he was the most low-key, aside from being Ten Hag's first. He didn't have the crowds in a frenzy in Bangkok, Melbourne or Perth and for a squad looking for assistance, he was only ever going to be a start.

The window ended up a success, but vital acclimatisation time to system, style and teammates was lost for Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, who signed in time for the start of the season but had limited training time, and for Casemiro and Antony, who arrived after the first ball had been kicked.

Every manager ideally wants his players in early for pre-season, but it's often easier said than done. In 2021 Jadon Sancho was the only new signing before the season started, with Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo joining later.

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But this summer, things are beginning to look more positive for United. In a window that has been described as "complicated" by one club official due to the restrictions being felt as a result of financial fair play measures and a need to sell players to raise funds, business is being done pretty promptly.

Mason Mount has signed for an initial £55million and has been training with his new teammates from the first day of pre-season and there is hope more new additions will be in place for the pre-season tour of the USA, which begins on July