Manchester United transfer strategy could be exposed by top six rivals this weekend

Any Manchester United supporter who expected a revolution in Erik ten Hag's first summer are going to be disappointed when the Dutchman names his first competitive starting XI on Sunday lunchtime.

United had always cautioned against a big-spending summer, despite Ralf Rangnick's assertion in April that 10 new players are required, but the state of progress in the transfer window is now becoming something of a concern.

It's entirely plausible that the first team picked by Ten Hag will comprise 11 players who were on the club's books last season. Luke Shaw will start ahead of Tyrell Malacia if fit, Lisandro Martinez is likely to be eased in and Christian Eriksen's exact midfield role is still a little undefined.

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Given this is a United side that finished sixth last season, 11 points behind Arsenal in fifth and 13 points outside the top four, the window at the moment has to rank as average. If Ten Hag's side features Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire in defence, with Fred and Scott McTominay again combined in midfield, then the early progress is going to be entirely defined by Ten Hag's coaching ability.

The 52-year-old is clearly an improvement on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick, but it's close to asking for miracles for him to eradicate that gap purely through improving the existing players in the squad. They might have enough to beat Brighton at home, but even then it's a risk given how impressive the Seagulls were in May when they thrashed United at the Amex.

At the start of the transfer window, United made it clear strengthening the midfield and attack were the priorities, a message reinforced by Ten Hag on the pre-season tour. But negotiations over Frenkie