It was supposed to be a day of change and new beginnings, but instead, Manchester United's opening day defeat to Brighton felt like Groundhog Day as many of the same familiar feelings of last season quickly came rushing back to Old Trafford.
United were feeble on the pitch and lacking in ideas against a side well-drilled and disciplined, who, despite losing key players in the summer window, acted as a sum-of-their-parts against Ten Hag's team of idle individuals.
After only one match, it would still be harsh to write off United as pretenders this season. There remains a hope that defeat to Brighton could be the wake-up call required to get themselves in gear for the tougher tests that lie ahead.
