Manchester United transfer challenge makes this summer most important for years

Although Manchester United have improved this season under Erik ten Hag, in order to close the gap on Manchester City, they must get it right this summer. However, the entirety of their problems may not be fixable through transfers alone.

United’s away form against top-half clubs has been dire, and it is crucial that they fix this in order to achieve a higher-placed finish next season. When Ten Hag’s men play away from home against capable opposition, they struggle, and oftentimes, capitulate.

The Reds have taken only four points from 27 available to them on the road this season against top-half opposition, with three of those coming against Fulham courtesy of a last-minute winner. United leaked six at the Etihad and seven without reply at Anfield.

The Reds went into those games on good form with confidence high but were given a stern reality check on both occasions. However, the manner of the losses didn’t surprise some. Graeme Souness labelled the 7-0 drubbing away to Liverpool as ‘not out of character’ given United’s track record.

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Away at Brentford in game week two, United’s first away fixture of the campaign, they lost 4-0, all of the goals coming in the first half. Many of United’s players this season featured heavily during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick’s reign last season, where they found themselves on the end of similar thrashings to the same teams: Brentford, City and Liverpool.

Although the overall attitude and application of the team is better, Ten Hag must eliminate the humiliations that the club find themselves on the wrong end of season after season.

In contrast, Manchester United’s performance at Old Trafford this