UNITED fans were desperate to see the club put the poorest season for decades behind them on the opening day of last season, but defeat against Brighton made it feel like nothing had changed.
Although the appointment of Erik ten Hag promised a new era, the same problems occurred on that afternoon as Pascal Gross’ first-half double stunned Old Trafford, making the optimism for the campaign evaporate.
Brighton survived a late onslaught to win 2-1. It hadn’t taken long for the new manager bubble to burst.
“It’s a hell of a job,” an honest Ten Hag conceded about the size of the challenge ahead in his post-match interview.
That opening day felt disastrous at the time, but with the benefit of hindsight, it was always likely to happen. The team was at an embryonic stage and the starting line-up would look completely different on the final day of the season.
Harry Maguire, Fred and Scott McTominay started last season’s opener, while Christian Eriksen played as a false nine with Jadon Sancho on the right wing. Brighton also went on to secure the highest place finish in their club’s history.
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