Why Erik ten Hag is the ideal manager for the Manchester United board

The culture at Manchester United was reset by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - to the 1970s or 80s. United strayed close to six years without any use for silver polish in 1974 and were relegated. That trophy drought extended to nine years but United's rebirth began with relegation.

Supporters of a certain vintage cherish the 1974-75 season in Division Two following Doc's Red Army as United steamrollered to promotion, the upward trajectory continuing with a third-place finish back in the top tier and an FA Cup final against Southampton.

But for an errant linesman, United's return to the upper echelons might have been crowned with a first trophy since the European Cup in 1968. Manager Tommy Docherty vowed United would be back at Wembley the next year to win it and they did, kiboshing Liverpool's Treble hopes.

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Remarkably, United's transition under Docherty was so gradual 10 of the starters in the numbing defeat to City in April '74 lined up at Leyton Orient on the opening day four months later. Stuart Pearson was the sole summer signing and inclusion in Docherty's team at Brisbane Road.

Squads are so deep now the elite clubs are capable of fielding three recognised XIs and the player turnover at United this summer could be the biggest since 2014. The contracts of five experienced players are scheduled to be shredded on July 1 and the list of wantaways has broken double figures.

That is the Glazers' legacy. The family is so removed the nearest Joel Glazer has got to Old Trafford in the last three years is to send Tom Brady as his delegate. Richard Arnold has been very visible since Ed Woodward fell on his sword and the new United chief executive is communicating with