Man Utd haven’t learnt their lessons – they will forever be playing catch-up under Erik ten Hag

Sir Jim Ratcliffe shelled out £180million on new players in the summer to back Erik ten Hag, only for Manchester United to continue to disappoint – something has to give

Long-term strategy is commendable and Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada says they are planning to win the title in 2028 to coincide with the club’s 150th anniversary – but at this rate, that looks an optimistic target.

‌Just five games into the Premier League season, they are already six points off the pace. And Wednesday night’s lukewarm 1-1 draw with FC Twente means they have won only once in nine European games – hardly the form of a powerhouse on the continent.

Manager Erik ten Hag never seems to be more than 90 minutes away from being under pressure, and this is another big week for him – Tottenham at home followed by a tricky Europa League trip to Porto, one of the strongest teams in the competition.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems to have got the structure of the club in good order – but on the pitch, which is where it counts most, United are still miles off winning their first title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. In some ways, they have got the recruitment right by going for younger signings who will have a sell-on value if they prove good value for money.

But the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Noussair Mazraoui look like players who could achieve a top-four finish or success in the Europa League, not win the title or go deep in the Champions League. And if a club’s place in their league table is largely reflected by its playing budget, as it should be, then United are still coming up well short.

Ten Hag can point to two trophies in as many seasons, and I am glad the board backed him to carry on after that FA Cup triumph against Manchester City four months ago. But are United making progress or is Ten Hag in danger of stumbling across the same pitfalls as last season?‌

If he is going to leave out Marcus Rashford when the England striker has scored three goals in two games – as was the case at Crystal Palace – he can’t be surprised if they lose momentum. We spent much of last season questioning Rashford’s form, so I was surprised that he was back on the bench at Selhurst Park when it appeared that he had finally caught the wave again.

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In the end, United were grateful for an outstanding double save from Andre Onana to get a point, but haven’t they moved on yet from their goalkeeper being their best player? It is telling that David de Gea won the club’s player of the year award four years out of five, if the keeper is still one of Ten Hag’s busiest players, it means they are conceding too much territory and too many chances to opponents where Fergie teams once dominated them.

‌I’m not sure United have got the balance right in midfield yet. Kobbie Mainoo did unbelievably well to break through and become an England regular last season, but he needs a runner alongside him. Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Ugarte all have their virtues, but United are still too easy to play through and they need more mobility in the middle.

‌And with all due respect, when you go 1-0 up at home against the likes of Twente in Europe, you should be putting teams to the sword. That 1-1 draw was a disappointing result and a frustrating performance and Sam Lammers’ equaliser for the Dutch side was too easy – he sliced straight through the middle with no resistance.

It’s not going to get any easier for Ten Hag this week. Tottenham and Porto will be big tests. And with celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of Fergie’s Treble season coming up, it would be a terrible shame if the party fell flat.

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