Expert Premier League predictions from Mark Langdon: Go for Gunners

It's hard to feel too sorry for Manchester United supporters given how many of them will have enjoyed so much success under Sir Alex Ferguson but it is pretty rough for them to know their two closest rivals are currently the best teams in their world.

All of their problems and issues are exacerbated in those battles with arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, who are simply too good for most, never mind the rabble United have become under Ralf Rangnick.

When most teams lose easily to Liverpool it's not a big deal but of course it is for United and the manner of their first-half display at Anfield must have opened the eyes of incoming boss Erik ten Hag.

"I am hugely excited by the challenge ahead," claimed Ten Hag after being appointed United's next manager. There are many words to describe the task ahead but exciting would not be top of the list. The only bright spot is surely that things can't get much worse.

Can they?

United supporters will hope not. Ten Hag's Ajax played lovely football and he has a philosophy which should lend itself to being able to recruit players for a system. The only nagging doubt over a 52-year-old who has never managed in a major league outside his home country is whether he can adapt to life at a big club in a foreign land.

There was also that weird collapse in the 2019 Champions League semi-final defeat to Tottenham when there was a naivety to Ajax's play at 3-0 up which prompted Jose Mourinho to quip: "They will be at home watching the final with their philosophy."

Ajax also got done on the counter against Benfica in this season's Champions League from a winning position so that could be a concern, but let's try to be positive for now.

Ten Hag's to-do list will be long but here is a helpful guide as to who should stay and what new players could help United get back to a respectable level - and respectable must be the first step because Ten Hag might need ten years to get United back to winning the Premier League or Champions League.

David de Gea isn't perfect with his feet but with so much else needed he will have to remain in goal and there should be much more to come from Raphael Varane once the collective is spot on. Harry Maguire's confidence is shot to pieces and so at least one centre-back is a must - Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol might be the best on the market - while both full-back areas are a concern.

The right-hand side has become laughable. They spent £50m on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a full-back who can't cross in an era when it is a position most teams field their most creative players. Maybe it's not too late for Ten Hag to gazump Bayern's bid for soon-to-be free agent Noussair Mazraoui from Ajax.

Declan Rice is an obvious shout for the midfield but he won't be cheap and Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco might be a better alternative. In their dreams they could take both, or if it's unachievable Ajax's Edson Alvarez is worth a second look.

Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga should be persisted with on the wings and it doesn't make any sense to ditch Bruno Fernandes given how much his new contract is worth.

The striker position is tough as none of the obvious candidates would surely consider Old Trafford as a viable destination. A gamble may need to be taken - Darwin Nunez of Benfica lacks experience but looked an absolute handful in the Champions League.

All that will have to wait. For now they look a bad team, certainly worse than Arsenal, who are worth backing to build on Wednesday's win at Chelsea.

Best bet

Arsenal to beat Manchester United
BT Sport 1, 12.30pm Saturday
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Coral

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport