Manchester United have four weeks to implement changes Ineos had hoped for in the future

The first day of pre-season always brings a buzz and the mood around Carrington would have been no different on Monday morning. There may not have been a new manager, but there were three new coaches and a number of senior players, which gave this season a sense of renewal for Manchester United.

It looks like something of a new beginning for Ineos, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe investing £1.25bn to take over the club’s football operations, which only really took off when the windows closed last season. By opting to stick with Erik ten Hagu they haven’t erased everything, but optimism remains widespread.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake have arrived to bolster the coaching staff, while Dan Ashworth has taken over as sporting director in a significant moment for Ineos. Christopher Vivell is another significant appointment, with chief executive Omar Berrada starting on Saturday.

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It has given Ineos the structure they need and allowed those players to focus on their roles. Until last week, technical director Jason Wilcox was the only senior signing, but the arrivals of Ashworth and Vivell have allowed the former Premier League winner to narrow his focus.

One of Wilcox’s key responsibilities is to develop what United are calling a “playing model”. The 53-year-old is expected to implement the club’s tactical style and footballing methodology from the first team to the academy, but that will require Ten Hag’s involvement. Wilcox will also be responsible for recruiting for the first team, so will be responsible for signing players who fit that approach.

That will make the first few weeks of pre-season particularly crucial as Wilcox and Ten Hag focus on the style of play United should play. What we saw from Ten Hag in his first few seasons was a bit of a mishmash.