Man United transfer verdict leaves £83m problem even sacking Erik ten Hag won't solve

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos might decide to sack Erik ten Hag before Manchester United return to Premier League action a week on Saturday. Alternatively, they could opt to stick by him for now, but the writing has been on the wall for some time, it could be argued with conviction.

No matter the verdict this week, Ten Hag's time at Old Trafford is, perhaps, coming to and end. The expectation among the boardroom will be that a new manager will revitalise the club and bring about an upturn in form, but that might only be the case in the shorter-term as the squad receive a rude awakening.

However, in the longer-term, problems which are troubling Ten Hag now would still be lurking for Thomas Tuchel, Ruud van Nistelrooy or Gareth Southgate. In our latest poll - of just over 7,400 United supporters - we asked them who they thought had been the best summer signing (so far).

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Propping up the list with 5.8 per cent and 4.8 per cent of the vote share, respectively, were Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee. Combined they cost United £83.3million this summer, but huge price tags are not uncommon for recent purchases at Old Trafford, as supporters will know better than anyone.

What's perhaps more concerning is that their additions were both represented as solutions to huge problems for United. Ugarte was brought in to replace Casemiro, who had struggled for the entirety of last season, and Zirkzee was brought in to add much needed depth to the forward-line.

In reality, though, the Uruguayan midfielder has yet to establish himself in the centre of the park and in his chance against Tottenham was run ragged while Zirkzee, after a promising start, is seen as less of a goal-scorer and more of a creator. That's all well and good but when a lack of goals has been a main issue for United for so long, a striker who's better suited to linking up play was, maybe, not the signing that was needed at this time.

Of course, both players are in the infancy of their careers at Old Trafford, while they could turn things around. But, even if Ten Hag is sacked, the squad which he has helped built will still be here and the new manager will need to solve lingering problems with players that have hindered United this campaign.

The concern with the fanbase, which will likely be shared by Ineos, is that United have spent big, once again, and might not actually be any better off for it.

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