Change is on the way... but will it be enough to arrest decline?

MANCHESTER United are clearly in need of change; it is just difficult to gauge how much.

- RICHARD FAY

Recent results have cast fresh doubt on Erik ten Hag's suitability for the manager role, though it is also clear that the problems run far deeper than him. For all his failings, it is hard to imagine any manager finding success while the sporting structure of the club remains the way that it is.

You only have to look at the variety of previous permanent managers to see that there is no logical solution left.

United are in a position where they can ruthlessly rip things apart again if they really have to. Previous signings can be written off, tactics can be changed and United can play the lottery again, hoping that the next appointment might finally make things work.

It could well happen, though the chances are slim. A high-risk, high-reward approach is always most likely to end in failure and the best bet remains in solving those deep-rooted problems that continue to plague the club.