United now have a plan, it's an audacious act of major surgery

Ten Hag's refresh is a process that even Alex Ferguson took years rather than months to implement

BATTLE: Liverpool's Andrew Robertson (left) and Manchester United's Tyrell Malacia battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire. 

We probably need to talk about the money first. It’s the 13th most expensive transfer of all time, slotting in between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. It brings Manchester United’s spending this window to about £200m plus potential add‑ons, and together with the signings of Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martínez means United are responsible for about 48% of the Eredivisie’s entire summer transfer income.

“God decides my future,” Antony said in an interview last week, when he was still an Ajax player. But, you know, an £86m bid from one of the world’s richest clubs doesn’t hurt either.