Manchester United's opening game of the season against Leeds pointed towards an enthralling campaign. United sauntered to an emphatic 5-1 win at Old Trafford and Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick, with Paul Pogba recording four assists.
It was a breathless game that showcased United's individuals at their world-class best. There is an irony that United's best performance of the season - that match against Leeds - was orchestrated by individuals, as that would gradually prove to be this side's very undoing as results dramatically unravelled. There would be no cohesion on the pitch as the weeks progressed.
After the signings of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left with no choice but to ask his side to play in a more expansive manner. The players attempted to respond to that desire, but they were poorly coached, tactically neglected and Solskjaer's fate was sealed. United's season has never recovered from those disastrous first few months.
