Erik ten Hag has wasted little time in expressing his confidence that Manchester United, for all their current troubles, will soon be able to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool once again.
Addressing the English press for the first time last Monday, the incoming United coach declared that 'you will always see an era come to an end' in reference to the dynasties of success built by Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
The season just finishing has only highlighted how City and Liverpool currently occupy a different stratosphere to their rivals down the road at Old Trafford, who limped into sixth place and Europa League qualification.