Manchester United now have the manager and players to start their own era

Erik ten Hag was half-right when he said "an era can come to an end". Liverpool's ascent stumbled last season but Manchester City reached the peak.

Fifteen months on from Ten Hag's personable unveiling at Old Trafford, Manchester United are a more formidable side. Clouds loom over the club as they strategise over how to communicate the decision on Mason Greenwood and the strategic review is nearing nine months.

But the team is in ruder health than this time last year. United's starting XI has been rebuilt, although they are devoid of their new £72million striker for the opening weeks of the campaign. The results in the United States during pre-season were mixed but the pay-off was the intensity and competitiveness of the matches were higher than in Thailand and Australia 13 months ago.

United won three and drew one in Bangkok, Melbourne and Perth before a passable performance against Atletico Madrid and a home draw with Rayo Vallecano. They still started the season with a demoralising defeat to Brighton. Six days later, "You're not fit to wear the shirt" was aired by the away-dayers during the generational nadir at Brentford.

Also read: United agree fee to sell Fred

The Brighton loss was actually overshadowed by the deplorable bid for Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic. The season had started and United were cutting corners, with Ten Hag a supporter of the strategy. He was familiar with Arnautovic from their time together at Twente.

United's kit colour clashed with the sun-kissed pitch at Brentford, who steamrollered them as though they were merely the turf. That shameful defeat reinforced United's focus and deals for Casemiro and Antony were bankrolled within the next three weeks. Their hand was forced but then