It is the latest Manchester United reboot – and forgive us if you think you’ve heard this one before. It can feel like Groundhog Day at Old Trafford as an ever-fading force desperately tries to restore its former glories.
Now it is the turn of Erik ten Hag to revive United’s fortunes – and the Dutchman faces familiar challenges.
He inherited an unwieldy and imbalanced squad.
And he’s struggling to bring in the targets he sees as vital to turning this ship around.
So what will be different this time? The truth is, no-one knows.
In 18 months to two-years’ time, it could be another man in the United hot-seat, charged with the responsibility of guiding them back to the summit of English football.
But in Ten Hag they have gone with a man they believe can challenge Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. A manager who plays football the right way and is a proven winner with Ajax.
He will give them a defined way of playing to lift the crowds and bring the club into the modern era. Ultimately, they hope he is the man to bring the trophies back to Old Trafford.
It is a risk. He does not know English football. He is up against four titans of the game in Guardiola, Klopp, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continue to back Mikel Arteta with the money to restore their own fortunes.
United could have gone with the Premier League-proven Mauricio Pochettino – but were convinced Ten Hag was the man to end nine years of misery.
Only time will tell.
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