Another week, another messy performance from Manchester United. After being played off the park but somehow coming away with a 1-0 win over Wolves, Erik ten Hag's side got what they deserved as they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham. The performance was a slight improvement on the first match and the manager cursed his team's inability to convert their early chances and score the first goal.
However, it was not nearly good enough and United are in a remarkably similar position to where they were at the same stage of last season after being beaten by Brighton and hammered 4-0 by Brentford.
Back then, the club used their dreadful start as a motivation to go back into the transfer market and sign a proven, world-class midfielder in Casemiro, before adding Antony on transfer deadline day. And despite spending more than £165 million ($210m) this summer, it is clear United still need to boost their squad, particularly in midfield.
Casemiro, one of United's best players last season, has looked dangerously isolated in the midfield three, getting little support from new arrival Mason Mount or captain Bruno Fernandes. However, it seems that Ten Hag is unwilling to trust Scott McTominay from the start while Christian Eriksen does not have the stamina to last entire matches.
United have blown a large part of their transfer budget already, and the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability rules prevent them from committing to another big-money signing. As such, GOAL takes a look at how Ten Hag can fix his team's midfield struggles and get the Red Devils back on the path to victory without breaking the bank...