There were two words that Erik ten Hag repeated so often last season that they almost became a mantra for the Manchester United manager. Personality and character. It was what he felt the squad lacked whe he arrived, what they showed at times last season and what they didn't when those dispiriting defeats that are still a hallmark of this side occurred.
The Etihad, Anfield, St James' Park and the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan are all venues that would bring United out in a cold sweat. They surrendered meekly in all of those fixtures and for all the success of a trophy, another cup final and third place, they were also days that left a stain on the season.
They all occurred away from home and travel sickness was Ten Hag's biggest problem last season. United didn't lose again in the league at Old Trafford after the opening day of the season but they didn't win away from home against any of the top nine either.
Their record against the traditional big six was particularly dispiriting. Beaten at Manchester City, Arsenal. Liverpool and held to draws by Chelsea and Tottenham. The stalemate at Stamford Bridge required an injury-time equaliser against a side that finished 12th and they chucked away a two-goal lead against a ramshackle Spurs side in North London.
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Speaking last month, after those assignments had been completed and United's issue in big games away from home had been laid bare, Ten Hag didn't need long to identify the problem, which always means he knows the solution.
"It is absolutely true," the United manager said about the away form against the top sides. "But it is to do with personality and character and this is where we need to step up and face this. We definitely need to improve."
Ten Hag isn't the type of character to cross his fingers and hope when it comes to minor details. He will have a plan to improve in that area, part of which is likely to involve signing more players he believes will add to the character and mentality of this squad.
He might also be pleased that United will get an immediate opportunity to right the wrongs from last season. Wolves at home is a relatively routine opener, but the first two away trips take them back to North London, to face Tottenham - who will be under new management - on the weekend of August 19 - and then Arsenal on the weekend of September 2.
It offers an immediate chance for United to show they have kicked on to another level after last season. If they harbour any realistic ambitions of pushing City for the title next season then they will need to be better in these games.
Emerge undefeated from those matches and Ten Hag will probably be happy. Take four points or more and he'll be delighted. But a return of just one point, or even a washout, will immediately suggest the development this summer hasn't gone as planned.
Gary Neville pulled no punches after the defeat at Newcastle when it came to assessing the weaknesses in this side away from home.
"There are emerging signs away from home, in the big games, when you really have to turn up and show that spirit, that fight, that courage to play, and have the quality to play, there is more evidence that they are not good enough in these type of matches," he said. "They just do not turn up."
That can't continue next season and in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and at the Emirates, Ten Hag and his players must turn up and show they are ready to raise their game in 2023/24.
It is the perfect opportunity to immediately send out a statement. As much as United will be eyeing improvement and getting closer to City, the top-four race will be intense again. Tottenham will expect to improve, a Liverpool revival is likely and Chelsea have to be better.
They started the season slowly last year and got away with it. A repeat can't be an option.
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