United defend Ten Hag's press conference performance, Amad's Megastore popularity and a bizarre dealing with a club scout

PLUS: United's still tangled web

A week off briefly took me to the professional ‘home’ of Old Trafford, specifically the Megastore. The gift was not for yours truly, though.

The domestic calendar resumes this week and United are already preparing for next summer. Eberechi Eze is of interest, with a winger, a midfielder, a centre back and a left back wanted.

Here’s a piece on why Erik ten Hag and United have to change this week - on Thursday and Saturday. United fans need to hear a new Ten Hag at Carrington and see a new team at Southampton.

United still going into bat for Ten Hag

The Daily Mail’s football editor Ian Ladyman, who has been based in Manchester for more than 20 years, earned plenty of plaudits for his interrogation of Erik ten Hag after the 3-0 shellacking by Liverpool.

Ian suggested United’s approach was identical to last season and, when asked to outline the supposed similarities by Ten Hag, eloquently and accurately obliged. He only erred by mistaking Coventry for Cambridge when he referred to the farcical FA Cup semi-final in April.

Despite the dosage of reality, some at United were still unhappy with the robustness of the exchange and it was suggested journalists should phrase questions in a manner akin to another journalist who is infamous for asking harmless questions.