Joel Glazer emerged from the shadows to write an open letter to Manchester United supporters in April last year. The European Super League proposal had just collapsed and the anger with the club's American owners had intensified to another, palpable level.
"We got it wrong, and we want to show that we can put things right," Glazer wrote, promising to make amends. The promise was immediately considered futile by supporters and they were right to take that stance - they are not naive. It has been a year since the Glazers promised to put things right and little at the club appears to have changed. The problems at Old Trafford are frustratingly familiar.
Erik ten Hag had raised morale in pre-season and he seemed like the authoritarian personality the dressing room required, but the Dutchman can only work with the squad at his disposal. There have just been three new signings this summer and the starting line up which played against Brighton on Sunday had barely changed. Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez were the only new faces.