Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his side "have a plan" to secure the margin of victory they need against Real Sociedad to top their Europa League group.

While a spot in the knockout stages of the competition has already been secured, United need to win by a two-goal margin to finish as Group E winners – which comes with the added benefit of avoiding a two-legged play-off against one of the eight teams to drop out of the Champions League.

Instead, group winners will resume their involvement in the Europa League from the round of 16, which would prove a valuable boost not only due to ensuring United would be a step closer to the final, but also in light of the hectic fixture schedule caused by the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Securing such a win is the clear target for Ten Hag and his side, who lost the reverse fixture in the opening match of the group stage.

"Obviously, it's important. We can win tomorrow night. We know what we have to do - win by a two-goal margin," he said in Wednesday's press conference.

"But if you want to win the trophy you have to win all the games, so we have to win every one.

"It's six weeks ago or so and it's a different team, not all the players then are fit. We're growing, developing, making good progress.

"We know it's difficult to win games here but we like the challenge. We know we have to win by two goals, we have a plan for that and we will do everything to get it done.

"I don't think you speak about how far you come. You can't win anything at this moment, it's game by game and we have to win every game."

While United have lost their last two matches against Spanish opponents, against Atletico Madrid in last season's Champions League and La Real earlier this campaign, they have won six of their last seven away games in the Europa League, scoring 19 goals at an average of 2.7 per game.

La Real, on the other hand, have won their last two Europa League home matches, as many wins as in their previous 10 such games in the competition (D4 L4). They last won three consecutive home fixtures in a single season in major European competitions in the 1998-99 UEFA Cup.

United will be depleted for Thursday's game, with Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial all unavailable, though the trio could well be back soon.

"Jadon was ill, Martial is still in rehab. He did train this morning so we're going in the right direction," Ten Hag added.

Jude Bellingham has plenty of admirers following his outstanding performances this season for Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham is contracted with Dortmund until 2025 and the eight-time German champions are eager to ward off interest in him.

The 19-year-old midfielder has scored nine goals in 19 appearances in all competitions this term.

TOP STORY – LIVERPOOL LOOK TO INJURED LEIPZIG MIDFIELDER FOR REINFORCEMENTS

Borussia Dortmund may demand a Premier League-record fee of £130million (€151m) for Jude Bellingham, claims The Sun.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Liverpool are all looking to secure the playmaker's services.

It had previously been expected that the Premier League clubs would bid around £87m (€100m) for Bellingham.

Manchester City's £100m-plus signing of Jack Grealish remains the most a Premier League club has forked out for a transfer fee.

ROUND-UP

– Fichajes claim Chelsea are in pole position in the race to sign Juventus' midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of this season and was linked with Manchester United in the last window.

– David de Gea is willing to accept reduced terms to extend his stay with Manchester United, according to The Athletic. The Spanish goalkeeper's current contract expires at the end of this season.

– Uruguay international winger Facundo Pellistri is set to leave Manchester United in January, claims Nicolo Schira, with some interest from Spanish and Italian clubs.

– Tottenham are weighing up a January move for Atalanta forward Ruslan Malinovskyi, reports Il Giorno.

– CBS Sports claims Everton and Newcastle United are keeping tabs on Chelsea's 21-year-old striker Armando Broja.

Liverpool's search for midfield reinforcements has reportedly led them to RB Leipzig's Konrad Laimer – and a move could come as soon as January.

Laimer, 25, enjoyed a career-best season in his last Bundesliga campaign, netting four goals and contributing four assists despite starting in just 15 of the 26 league games in which he featured.

This season, the man with 24 senior international appearances for Austria has started every Bundesliga and Champions League game he has been available for, although a high-ankle sprain has kept him out for six weeks now, and he may not return until January.

TOP STORY – LIVERPOOL LOOK TO INJURED LEIPZIG MIDFIELDER FOR REINFORCEMENTS

According to Sky Sport Germany, Liverpool are considering going for Laimer in January, six months before the end of his contract with Leipzig.

Laimer is hoping to return from his injury in January, and there could also be interest from Bayern Munich, who sized him up in the last transfer window.

Regardless of what happens with Laimer and the January window, Sky Germany reports Liverpool are planning "significant investment" into their squad at the end of the season.

ROUND-UP

– Football Insider is claiming 32-year-old Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

– Manchester United are looking at Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, 21, and Norwich's Max Aarons, 22, to compete with Diogo Dalot for their starting right-back role, per The Sun.

– According to The Sun, Arsenal sent scouts to Brazil to watch 21-year-old Palmeiras midfielder Danilo, whom they are interested in making a move for in January.

– GiveMeSport is reporting Manchester United still have interest in PSV's Cody Gakpo, with recent reports claiming the Dutch club's financial position could prompt them to accept a bid in the range of £30million.

– Bayer Leverkusen have made Inter left-back Robin Gosens their primary target, with the 28-year-old also attracting interest from Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg, according to Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

Marcus Rashford insists winning a place in England's squad for the World Cup is not in his thoughts as he looks to maintain his strong form for Manchester United.

Rashford powered home a header to lift United to a 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham on Sunday, his 100th goal for the Red Devils in all competitions.

The forward needed 25 Premier League appearances to score four goals last season, a tally he has already matched after 12 games of the current campaign. 

Rashford's poor performances last season saw him lose his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad, but the 25-year-old is not obsessing over his fight to make the trip to Qatar.

"I'm not thinking about the World Cup at the minute," Rashford said. "I'm concentrating on the next game, we have to try and keep winning games here, we've got two more league games before the World Cup. 

"If we win those two games, we'll stay in touch with the top four, so that's what I'm focused on."

United have won seven of their last 10 league games after starting the season with back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, and Rashford puts that improvement down to the approach of Erik ten Hag.

"I just think the energy is different, that's the biggest thing, the energy is more positive within the whole team and at the training ground, for me that is the biggest thing," he added.

"I just want it to keep going really and keep enjoying it. If we're winning games, I'm sure that will happen.

"It's stuff that he mentioned as soon as he came in, we've been working on that, not meaningfully, but we've been improving and the best way to do it is on the pitch and in games."

Rashford's goal against West Ham was just his seventh in club football with his head, and the forward has been working with Ten Hag to improve his aerial prowess.

"Getting into the areas is one thing, but the technique and the desire and wanting to get your head on the end of it, that's what I've been working on. It's nice to get a couple of goals out of that," he added.

"He just wants me to be in the right areas, scoring goals, pressing high up the pitch, little things I'm trying to keep chipping away at, keep working. 

"Even if you're not having the best of days, let's try and stick to those principles [and] use that as a base, those fundamentals, to round off your performance."

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes has only played 27 games for the club since arriving from Lyon, and he has been so impressive that he is now a target of Barcelona.

Guimaraes, 24, spent three seasons with Lyon before Newcastle secured his services in a £40million move in January.

He scored five goals in just 11 starts this past Premier League campaign, and has added two goals and two assists this season, with Newcastle unbeaten in the 10 games he has started.

The Brazil international with eight senior caps to his name is a key part of why Newcastle currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League table, but they will now reportedly have to fend off interest from Barca.

TOP STORY – BARCELONA INVESTIGATE A MOVE FOR GUIMARAES

According to The Sun, Barcelona have officially moved on from their chase of Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and are instead focusing their attention on Newcastle's Guimaraes.

The report claims Barcelona were "priced out" of a move for Silva after City slapped a price tag of £80m on him and Guimaraes would certainly not come cheap.

With his contract tying him to Newcastle until 2026, it would need a huge offer to land the 24-year-old. 

While their spending spree will eventually need to be balanced out with some sales, the Magpies are said to be offering Guimaraes a new contract that will pay him £200,000 per week to put any questions about his future to bed.

ROUND-UP

– Calciomercato is reporting both Roma and Juventus are expected to pursue 23-year-old Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi, who is valued in the region of €30m.

– According to The Mirror, Sporting will attempt to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo in January, and are preparing a second contract offer despite previously stating they can not afford the Portugal legend.

– Relevo claims N'Golo Kante is seen by Barcelona as a potential successor to Sergio Busquets, with the Chelsea midfielder's contract set to expire at the end of the season.

– It could be a busy January for Barcelona as Sport are reporting they hope to sell Memphis Depay, while Fichajes believe Franck Kessie will push for a move back to the Serie A.

– According to IG Esporte, Brighton and Everton are interested in 25-year-old Monaco left-back Caio Henrique.

Marcus Rashford could yet become one of the world's best players after scoring his 100th goal for Manchester United, according to his Red Devils team-mate David de Gea.

Rashford became the 22nd player to score 100 goals for United – and the first since Wayne Rooney in 2009 – as Erik ten Hag's men beat West Ham 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

After powering home a header from Christian Eriksen's cross, the England international has now scored four Premier League goals against the Hammers, including two in 2022.

Only against Leicester City (six) and Liverpool (five) has Rashford been more prolific in the competition.

Having struggled for game-time last season, Rashford has looked a player reborn since Ten Hag took charge, leading De Gea to suggest he still has huge potential.

"He's still very young. I think he has been here his whole life as a kid and as a first-team player with experience already, and he's still very young," De Gea told MUTV.

"He's doing great. I think he can be one of the best players in the world if he keeps focused and training hard and performing well. 

"I think he's a very, very good player and we are happy that he's with us and playing the way he's playing."

The result saw United overtake Chelsea to go fifth in the Premier League table, and they have now kept five clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions – only conceding via a Jorginho penalty during that run.

Sunday also represented the first time this season that United ended a day with a positive goal difference (+1) in the Premier League, but De Gea believes the entire team deserve credit for their defensive improvements.

"I think the whole team [are contributing], not just the defenders," he said. "I think we are pressing well, we are recovering the ball high in the opponents half so that's massive for us. I think we defended really well.

"Of course, we conceded some chances at the end, but we're playing against West Ham, a great team who have good players. I'm really, really happy, to be honest."

Erik ten Hag does not yet believe Manchester United can threaten Manchester City, even if Pep Guardiola warned of the Red Devils "coming back".

Speaking ahead of the weekend's Premier League action, Guardiola highlighted United and Newcastle United as challengers to City.

"I have the feeling United are coming back," Guardiola said. "Finally United is coming back. I've seen it against Chelsea, the first half. I like what I see of United right now."

United beat West Ham 1-0 on Sunday to climb to fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Newcastle but still six shy of City and eight off leaders Arsenal.

While United manager Ten Hag is pleased with his side's progress, he could not agree with Guardiola's assessment after that match.

"I think it's a little bit too quick to see," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "Second half, I have to be critical.

"I also said to the players we have to think better, but the spirit we have is fabulous, and I also think we have the qualities to score goals.

"We have attacking football, we have to improve that, but if we keep going, I think we are in the right direction.

"To be a threat to them [City]? We have a long way to go."

Marcus Rashford has revealed "other things off the pitch" were the cause of his difficult 2021-22 season, with the Manchester United forward now "in a better headspace" and "really motivated".

Rashford scored only five goals in 32 appearances for United last season, prompting doubts around his Old Trafford future as he lost his England place.

But he has rediscovered something approaching his best form under new manager Erik ten Hag.

Rashford, who turns 25 on Monday, has seven goals in 15 matches and brought up 100 in United colours with his headed winner in a 1-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday.

Afterwards, he told Sky Sports of the reason for his rejuvenation, explaining: "To be honest, it's a complete different energy around the whole club and the training ground.

"That, for a start, puts me in a better headspace.

"And I just feel really motivated now; I think I've struggled with that at times, more mental things, not really my own performance. It was other things off the pitch. That's the biggest difference."

He added: "We have to be in the right headspace for every game. Too often last season, I wasn't in the right headspace."

Rashford became the 22nd player to score 100 goals for United, with his milestone strike following hot on the heels of his 99th against Sheriff on Thursday after a five-game drought.

"It's probably been on my mind for the last couple of games, but we've been winning games," he said, "so I've been happy and just waiting for it to come. Thankfully, today it came."

Marcus Rashford's 100th Manchester United goal gave the Red Devils a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham on Sunday.

United handed Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire rare league starts, but Rashford snatched the headlines in bringing up his milestone with a fine 38th-minute header.

West Ham looked uninspired for long periods before finding David De Gea in strong form when they exerted some pressure late on, with the United goalkeeper making three crucial saves.

The victory lifts Erik ten Hag's team above Chelsea into fifth in the Premier League table, one point below fourth-placed Newcastle United with a game in hand.

Ronaldo sent a long-range effort into Lukasz Fabianski's arms as United dominated the early exchanges, before Rashford cut inside to send a deflected shot onto the roof of the net.

West Ham weathered that early storm and then escaped when Anthony Elanga badly miscued a volley from just six yards out after 36 minutes.

United led from their very next attack, however, with Rashford planting a brilliant header beyond Fabianski after meeting Christian Eriksen's hanging cross.

Ronaldo should have done better with a left-footed effort following Rashford's reverse pass as United continued to press after half-time, before David de Gea tipped Michail Antonio's fierce strike over the crossbar.

De Gea then made a brilliant reflex save from Kurt Zouma's header and denied Declan Rice from range after Maguire blocked from Jarrod Bowen, before which substitute Fred had nodded against the right-hand post at the other end – a near miss that did not prove costly.

Marcus Rashford reached 100 goals for Manchester United by converting a fine header in Sunday's Premier League meeting with West Ham.

Rashford met Christian Eriksen's delicate right-wing delivery with a powerful header at the back post after 38 minutes at Old Trafford, putting Erik ten Hag's side 1-0 up.

The forward's goal – just the seventh he has scored with his head for United – made him the 22nd player to bring up a century of goals for the club.

He is the first United player to reach the landmark since Wayne Rooney in 2009. He went on to become United's all-time leading goalscorer.

Rashford has scored 82 of his 100 club goals with his right foot, while 88 have come from inside the penalty area and just 13 have not come from open play (four free-kicks, nine penalties).

The England international, who turns 25 on Monday, achieved the feat against one of his favoured opponents – he has now hit the net four times against West Ham in the Premier League.

However, prior to Sunday, all three of his goals against the Hammers in the competition had come as a substitute – only five players have scored more from the bench against a single opponent – Julian Joachim v Derby Count (five), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer v Nottingham Forest, Javier Hernandez v Chelsea, Olivier Giroud v Southampton and Robbie Keane v Man City (all four).

Raphael Varane indicated he is on course to be fit for France's World Cup campaign as the Manchester United defender recovers from a leg injury.

Centre-back Varane is not expected to play any club football until the Qatar 2022 tournament gets under way, having been substituted in pain during United's October 22 draw at Chelsea.

He jarred his leg badly just before the hour mark at Stamford Bridge, casting doubt on whether he would be able to play any part in the finals for France boss Didier Deschamps, as Les Bleus defend their title.

News on the 29-year-old's recovery is positive though, with the 87-cap international posting pictures and a video on Sunday of him training at the France team's Clairefontaine headquarters.

He wrote in English: "Thank you everyone for the kind messages this week. I have been working! Feeling good."

His French language message said he had "been working hard and I feel a lot better", which is an update that will be welcomed by Deschamps.

The directive from Deschamps is that only fully fit players will go with France to Qatar, with a major question mark also hanging over Paul Pogba's readiness, given he has been sidelined for Juventus since July with a knee injury.

Deschamps said in a recent interview with French website Brut: "Leaving for a big competition with players who are not ready, already it occupies too much attention, and for those who have to play, it also monopolises the medical staff. I consider that we must leave with valid and capable players."

France start their World Cup campaign against Australia on November 22.

In his message on Sunday, Varane also wished United well for their Premier League game against West Ham, saying: "Good luck today boys."

Cristiano Ronaldo was given a start for Manchester United's meeting with West Ham, his first in the Premier League since being temporarily exiled from first-team activities.

Ronaldo was dropped for last week's dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Tottenham, and he was subsequently left out of first-team training.

However, Erik ten Hag recalled Ronaldo for Thursday's 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff – a decision the 37-year-old validated by scoring his third goal of the season in all competitions – and the Dutchman kept faith with the striker.

Club captain Harry Maguire also earned a rare league start – his first since August – after Raphael Varane suffered a leg injury at Chelsea.

Fellow defender Victor Lindelof missed out through illness against David Moyes' team, as did Brazilian winger Antony.

Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Anthony Elanga were brought into the starting line-up by Ten Hag, having all been benched last time out.

Marcus Rashford says Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is "a joy to work with."

Ten Hag succeeded interim manager Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford at the end of last season, and although there have been several bumps in the road, including a humbling 6-3 derby defeat to Manchester City a humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford, United seem to be on an upward trajectory under the Dutchman.

The Red Devils have taken eight points from the last 12 on offer in the Premier League, including beating Tottenham 2-0 in convincing fashion and snatching a draw at Chelsea last weekend.

West Ham visit Old Trafford on Sunday, with a victory enough to see Ten Hag's side leapfrog Chelsea into fifth place.

United's leading scorer with six goals from 14 appearances, Rashford has also contributed three assists after being given a new lease of life under former Ajax boss Ten Hag.

Rashford has put his return to form and renewed confidence down to Ten Hag, with the attacker – who turns 25 on Monday – telling Sky Sports: "The manager's a joy to work with, really.

"Is it hard work? Yeah, but I think we are enjoying it and we're playing better football."

With the World Cup in Qatar approaching, Rashford – who has not featured for England since missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shoot-out defeat to Italy in July 2021 – will be hoping his form will earn him a place in Gareth Southgate's selection.

"I feel like I'm getting there [close to his best form]," he said. "But, yeah, I'm a lot happier, I'm enjoying myself a lot more."

Rashford believes the character shown by United in their late comeback against Chelsea proves the work Ten Hag has done is paying off.

"Everyone's up for it, everyone's up for the challenge, up for the fight. For me, the epitome of that was the Chelsea game," he added. "We conceded late on and we still had the courage and the determination to score again late on.

"We were disappointed with the draw, but when you look at the wider scheme of things it's great character. We know that we've got it but to show it is another thing.

"I think it's a little bit of everything, but it's definitely something that you have to build.

"We've had some new signings come in and we've just managed to make it work and build that team spirit as quickly as we did.

"I feel like the players have integrated well and we're learning about each other more and more."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is known to be desperate for Lionel Messi to finish his career at his long-time club.

The 35-year-old Argentine forward departed Camp Nou hastily in August last year due to Barcelona's financial issues.

Messi joined the Blaugrana in 2000 and had an association with the club for more than two decades, scoring 672 goals across 778 first-team appearances.

TOP STORY – LAPORTA PLOTTING JANUARY MOVE FOR MESSI

Laporta is planning a move for Barcelona club legend Lionel Messi in the January transfer window, according to Sport.

The report states that Barcelona want to take advantage of the Fair Play situation in January, rather than wait for the off-season where the 1/4 rule will make any move more difficult.

However, Laporta's plan is full of obstacles for the Blaugrana to overcome, not least LaLiga's financial restraints, along with convincing Messi and his current club Paris Saint-Germain to part midway through the season.

Messi has publicly said he has deferred any decisions on his club or international future until after the World Cup.

ROUND-UP

– Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim may have distanced the club from links with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in midweek but The Mirror reports that the Portuguese club will make a bid for him in January.

– Brighton and Hove Albion are open to selling Moises Caicedo amid interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United but have slapped a £85m price tag on the 20-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder, reports the Sunday Mirror.

– The Express claims that Arsenal are leading the race ahead of Manchester United to sign Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans. The Belgian could move to the Gunners for free, as he is out of contract at the end of the season and unlikely to pen a new deal.

– Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante - whose contract is also up at the end of June 2023 - is a major target for Barcelona who are looking at replacements for veteran Sergio Busquets, reports Relevo.

– Sport claims Barcelona are looking to offload Memphis Depay in January, with Juventus interested in signing the Dutch attacker.

– Wolves are set to approach ex-Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui again, having failed to convince him previously to become their new manager, claims The Sun.

Whenever Manchester United come up against a team managed by David Moyes, it provides the perfect opportunity to look back on the Red Devils' rather turbulent recent history.

Moyes was, of course, the original successor to Alex Ferguson. The 'Chosen One', as the infamous banner read, and, to many, a harbinger of mediocrity.

That's slightly unfair on Moyes as although United won the title just before he ascended the Old Trafford hot seat, he was left with an aging squad that needed replenishing, plus the club's deep reverence for Ferguson ultimately stopped them moving with the times.

For years, Ferguson essentially operated as a head coach, recruitment director and sporting director rolled into one. The Scot was so effective and influential that, once he'd left, United were suddenly unprepared to meaningfully challenge the best teams.

This past year has arguably seen that gap reach its widest point in the Premier League era, with United posting their worst points total (58) since the competition's foundation in 1992 last season.

But in Erik ten Hag, United might finally have the right manager at the right time.

The succession

While United's woes of the short-lived Moyes era weren't just down to him, nothing over the past eight years has suggested the club was wrong to get rid of him in 2014.

Nevertheless, Moyes and every other post-Ferguson United manager had their strengths.

Moyes had an intimate knowledge of the league; Louis van Gaal brought a defined 'philosophy' and vast experience; Jose Mourinho had the name recognition and a track record of winning trophies; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was already deified by supporters and his management style allowed players to be more expressive than under his pragmatic predecessor; Ralf Rangnick came in with 'club-building' expertise at a time when United's structure was spoken about as their biggest area of concern.

But none of them ever looked likely to be a long-term success for United. Obviously that was the hope for Moyes when he signed his five-year contract, though it quickly became apparent his personality was at odds with much of the team and his lack of tactical imagination made the side predictable, boring and ineffective.

Van Gaal did at least try to put a modern stamp on United, with his possession-based approach initially lauded upon his arrival after presiding over a fine World Cup campaign with the Netherlands. But again, the football was tedious to watch, with the Red Devils often accused of keeping possession for possession's sake rather than being able to work openings.

He's since been very critical of how United are run, perhaps casting light on why he was never quite right – maybe he would've been if there was a credible recruitment structure in place, but there wasn't.

Mourinho might argue recruitment issues were behind his downfall as well. Certainly, if you believe the media reports, United routinely missed out on players considered to be his primary targets.

But fans called his exit two years in advance. The prediction was that he'd be in charge for two seasons and then get the boot in his third, which of course came to pass.

Solskjaer arguably got the most freedom to build a team in his image, which was ironic given he was by far the least experienced of the managers to arrive after Ferguson. Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho were all desired by the Norwegian and they duly arrived, but the manager's coaching methods were widely derided from outside the club with few players appearing to improve under his tutelage.

Then the Rangnick-led rebuild ended up being a red herring. Results and performances weren't much better than under Solskjaer, and while his honest appraisals of the club's structure were appreciated by fans, the hierarchy clearly felt differently and swiftly ended his two-year consultancy shortly after Ten Hag's appointment.

Ten Hag's impact

So, what's changed?

Well, in reality we're obviously only going to really know how much United have changed in terms of the general running of the club a few years down the line.

They do at least now have a genuine sporting structure. Granted, it was questioned in pre-season when Ten Hag came in and immediately started demanding players he knew or had previously coached, but all pre-season signings have at least looked encouraging.

As for Ten Hag's management, there have been plenty of examples of him avoiding the mistakes of his predecessors.

Like Van Gaal, Ten Hag has looked to implement a more possession-focused style of play, but this United seem to be playing more on the front foot when out of possession than the LVG vintage.

And yet, Ten Hag's shown the sort of adaptability the likes of Solskjaer and Mourinho were accused of failing to embrace. He's already ditched the insistence on playing out from the back with David de Gea after the Spaniard's struggles in their first two games of the season, while the experiment of playing Christian Eriksen in defensive midfield didn't last long either.

But, arguably most important of all, Ten Hag's shown he's not shy about making tough calls. He dropped Luke Shaw and captain Harry Maguire after two games, and his exclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad to face Chelsea last weekend after the striker's refusal to come on against Tottenham was a real show of conviction and leadership.

Ronaldo was welcomed back into the starting XI against Sheriff on Thursday, though, evidence of Ten Hag finding the balance between authority and forgiveness, areas that Solskjaer, Mourinho and Rangnick all seemed to fall short in in different ways.

Of course, results are key. While it's still too early to draw any major conclusions here because who's to say they don't lose every game between now and the World Cup, there have undoubtedly been positive signs with wins against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. Even the draw at Chelsea was morale-boosting.

Crucially, United need to give Ten Hag time. If Solskjaer can be given three years, Ten Hag surely needs at least that long as well.

The first few months of his reign have certainly suggested United are on the right track with their latest 'Chosen One'.