Manchester United now have to put faith in their £158.3m signings

Areas of the Manchester United teams last week were a throwback to a bygone era. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's back four from August 2019 lined up in Istanbul, while Solskjaer's No.9 at the opposite end at Newcastle.

Anthony Martial joined United so long ago that Louis van Gaal was the manager, Jeremy Corbyn was not yet the Labour leader, Alejandro Garnacho was a schoolboy at 11 years old and Kobbie Mainoo was 10.

Martial's performance at Newcastle United was not even schoolboy level. He was seemingly selected as he had scored against Everton six days earlier and had not started against Galatasaray. Erik ten Hag ignored the bigger picture.

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Rasmus Hojlund has also still not scored in the Premier League with Christmas decorations now on display in households. Yet Hojlund started eight consecutive league games and that run only ended at Goodison Park as he had not fully recovered from a hamstring problem.

Hojlund was match-fit in Turkey and replaced Martial. United became passive when Martial prematurely replaced Hojlund on 58 minutes with them 3-1 up. It was 3-3 13 minutes later.

Ten Hag's press conference is earlier than usual today at high noon. Watching him bicker with Martial at St James' Park, the United manager is almost in as much danger as Gary Cooper of allies deserting him.

Martial should be small fry for Ten Hag. If United ratify the Ineos Group's minority stake in time for the January transfer window, then Martial has to be put in the shop window.

Not a single 90-minute appearance in the Premier League since January 2021, 18 United goals in three-and-a-half years, 28 this week and out of contract in