WELCOME

The start of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign has been bleak for Manchester United, squeezing out tight wins against relegation candidates such as Luton and Sheffield United as if it’s the last bit of toothpaste in the tube.

Unsurprisingly, considering their scintillating 2022-3 season and the eyewatering £180m spent this summer, fans and pundits alike are disheartened by Erik ten Hag’s team. Nevertheless, the gloom and disappointment surrounding Old Trafford, may be misplaced.

Despite underwhelming performances, there has been a plague of injuries including England’s starting left back, Luke Shaw and World Cup winning centre half, Lisandro ‘Martinez, key contributors toward their success last season. Ten Hag has been forced into switching formations and players’ positions to accommodate a distinct lack of squad depth. However, United have persevered and now sit on twenty-one points from their first twelve games, just seven points behind top of the table and current treble holders, ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City.

Additionally, end of the injury crisis is in sight. After several months out, Martinez and Shaw are back training alongside the first team. United should soon have the potential to recreate that brick wall of a defence which kept last year’s nineteen clean sheets.  So, wondering whether the Reds will rise to stardom once again or slide down a  sinkhole of mediocrity, FFT dropped in to the Theatre of Dreams for an exclusive interview with  the United manager, Eric ten Hag.  Enjoy the mag.   

Finn