Manchester United are taking a risk with their midfield in the transfer market

What jumps out about Ryan Gravenberch is he was born in the Netherlands and has played for Ajax.

That is near-essential criteria for a Manchester United recruit: Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Mason Mount and Andre Onana have all played in the Netherlands. Rasmus Hojlund has a Dutch agent, Kees Vos, who also represents Erik ten Hag.

Suddenly, Ten Hag's hit rate looks iffy. Martinez and Casemiro have been successes and Onana is an upgrade on David de Gea. But Antony, an inadvisable buy, is regressing, Malacia is injured and, when fit, merely back-up. Mount has had two chastening starts. United are still buying players for the manager, not the club.

Mount was sharp in the first 45 minutes at Tottenham. His interplay with Casemiro was tidier and the Brazilian offered an appreciative high-five during the stoppage.

Also read: Fernandes asks for apology from Jon Moss over non-penalty

They were still steamrollered by matchwinner Pape Sarr and the man of the match Yves Bissouma. Spurs fashioned a chance on the breakaway inside the first 60 seconds as they beat United's aimless press that left Casemiro the sole sentry.

Bissouma, bought by Spurs last year, barely got a look-in under Antonio Conte when the common consensus was Tottenham had made an astute signing. Brighton banked £25m and had Moises Caicedo to replace him. Caicedo left last week for almost £100m more.

Bissouma, Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister were developed into elite midfielders by Brighton. United were ahead of the curve with Caicedo and in negotiations to sign him in January 2021, but they passed on him this summer as he became British football's most expensive transfer.

Now there is a danger United will be behind the curve.