The Dutchman had to make do with three loan signings in the January transfer window as the Reds cut their cloth after a £225m spend in the summer.
But the rest of the league splashed record sums, led once again by Chelsea, and the finance involved has transformed the picture, even in the six months Ten Hag has spent in England.
After several years of intense competition between City and Liverpool, the table has a different look this season, with Arsenal top and Newcastle in the top four.
The Reds are within seven points of the Gunners, but Ten Hag knows his squad still needs more investment, particularly when it comes to improving the depth available to him.
“We want to restore Manchester United, we need top players but also double (in) the position because we want to act in so many leagues, so many competitions,” he said. “We have certain positions we have a lack of quality and that can’t be, if you want to compete for the highest.”
United are still better off than many expected when Ten Hag’s first season began, especially when the first two games saw calamitous defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
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