It will remain ever so, but to gauge how culpable the squad are for Ten Hag's sacking, United sinking to 14th place in the Premier League and 21st in the Europa League, a simple question can suffice: how many of the listing group left behind by the fifth post-Sir Alex Ferguson manager removed by the club would Pep Guardiola take for his supreme Manchester City XI?
Those of a sky blue persuasion may answer zero owing to tribal loyalties and the success-soaked era of Guardiola's tenure - a type of if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it stance.
There is an argument for a few of the unit Rúben Amorim is poised to inherit, but the next man through the Old Trafford door should beware: a few is not enough to take United where Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the football department chief, wants them to be, competing with City, Liverpool and Arsenal for domestic spoils and reaching the latter stages of the Champions League each year.
Starting from the back, Lisandro Martínez seems a shoo-in for City given that Guardiola billed the Argentinian as one of the top "five centre-backs in the world" after City's 2-1 FA Cup final defeat in May.
Denne historien er fra October 30, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra October 30, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist
This was a thrilling, bruising game, and even a very funny one at times.
Amorim's winter warmer
United manager hails side's mentality in thrilling draw
Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva
A frustrated Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, described the performance of Darren Bond, the referee, as \"not at Premier League level\" after he opted not to dismiss the Ipswich defender Leif Davis during the sides' 2-2 draw.
Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield
An evening of some redemption for Manchester United was not without its customary slice of Anfield agony. Thirty seconds remained of a gripping battle when Joshua Zirkzee spurned the chance of hero status among fans who jeered him six days earlier to present Harry Maguire with a clear sight of Alisson's goal.
Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point
Imagine where Fulham would be if they could see off the strugglers. They averted a rare defeat when Raúl Jiménez converted his second penalty of the afternoon at the start of added time but never did enough to overcome a well-drilled Ipswich.
Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack
Before kick-off Portsmouth's manager, John Mousinho, suggested all the pressure would be on Sunderland, leaving his players free to relax, improvise and unlock their inner creativity.
Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win
Boland skittles India to set up World Test Championship final against South Africa
Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US
Americans defeat Poland to secure United Cup glory as Sabalenka wins Brisbane title
Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has insisted that her former coach Stefano Vukov did not mistreat her during their coaching partnership after it was revealed that Vukov is under investigation by the Women's Tennis Association.
Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble
Hamza Igamane's hat-trick was not enough to secure victory for Rangers as Rocky Bushiri's late header earned a dramatic 3-3 draw for in-form Hibernian at Easter Road.
