Manchester United have done what Jose Mourinho said they needed to do

Ten Hag's side were impressive for the majority of last season. A Carabao Cup triumph, an FA Cup final and Champions League qualification represented a solid first year under the Dutchman, and further progress is expected.

Tough decisions had to be made along the way as plenty of improvements were needed both on and off the pitch.

United had endured their worst Premier League season ever prior to Ten Hag's arrival and the club was a mess. There we no cohesion, no plan, no structure, and in truth it was tough to see what direction those in the Old Trafford boardroom were wanting to take the club.

Of course, matters off the pitch remain a big worry for United fans, with the takeover saga continuing to rumble on, though in Ten Hag they have a manager they can trust and it seems that those within the club are finally singing from the same hymn sheet once again.

One man who recognised the need for change at the club was Jose Mourinho. The former United boss' Old Trafford tenure could not have ended on a much sourer note, with the club siding with certain players instead of backing their manager, a move that was always going to create a toxic atmosphere.

Back in May 2022, TNT Sports quizzed Mourinho on his time at the club, with the Portuguese tactician saying the mentality and organisation of the club needed to change.

"At Man United the fans are special and there are lots of good people inside the club, so it’s not like I’m happy to be right. I’m not happy to be right," he said.

"I would like to be wrong, but I knew that I was right. The first thing you have to change, for me, when things are not going right is mentality and organisation and it was not coming.

“And I knew that for me to leave was not going to resolve the situation. I knew that, unfortunately. I wish them the best, honestly, and hopefully they make it.”

It's impossible to disagree with Mourinho's comments. No club is ever going to thrive when players feel that they can overrule their manager, and the mentality of the club needed to change.

Ten Hag has had a huge hand in transforming United, but the support of those above him will always be needed. Player power is a thing of the past, just ask Cristiano Ronaldo, and United's transfer business since Ten Hag arrived is proof that the manager has the club's full backing.