Erik ten Hag was pictured writing on his notepad when watching Manchester United play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the final day of last season. Palace defeated United 1-0 that afternoon and Ten Hag was shown the size of the challenge ahead.
"Buy new players," the notepad might have read. After United conceded their second goal against Brentford at the weekend, the camera focused on Ten Hag's expressionless face. Ten Hag was unmoved by the disaster that was unfolding, but he was seen writing on his notepad again. "Buy new players," the notepad might have read. Ten Hag was watching his side struggle again.
Although Ten Hag was not in charge when the Reds were defeated by Palace on the final day of last season, he's now watched three competitive United matches in person and all three performances have been awful, which has resulted in three defeats.
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After the worst defeat at the club for 50 years last Saturday, Ten Hag will be desperate to secure the first points of the Premier League season, but United are set to play rivals Liverpool next. The circumstances for Ten Hag's first derby are far from ideal.
Liverpool have drawn against Fulham and Crystal Palace and they head into this game without summer signing Darwin Nunez, who is suspended after receiving a red card. It seems like a good time to play Liverpool but they remain formidable opposition.
Jurgen Klopp's side were ruthless when playing United last season. They beat United 5-0 at Old Trafford and 4-0 at Anfield, and they should have scored more goals in both matches. It added to the embarrassment that Liverpool's domination was effortless.
Ten Hag has the challenge of somehow reversing that form on Monday night. Klopp was asked about United on Friday and said: "I would prefer to play them after they won 5-0, that's how it is. We drew twice, so is it better to play us? I don't know.
"We have to deal with all the situations. The whole world will watch it, let's see how these heavyweights deal with the situation." Klopp was respectful and almost complimentary in his press conference, but he might say something entirely different to his players.
Liverpool are winless from two games and they'll be smelling blood at Old Trafford. United are wounded and Liverpool will look to take advantage of that, which they did in brutal fashion last season. United's heavy defeat at Anfield was tragically inevitable.
Although defeats against Brighton and Brentford have given Ten Hag's rebuild a reality check, Monday night has the potential to show where United are in comparison to the Premier League's elite, with the suspicion they are in a completely different sphere.
United fans' expectations are understandably low heading into the game and Ten Hag will emerge with credit if his team displays some character, quality and desire, which are three non-negotiable traits that have been absent for some time at the club.
It is a sad state of affairs at Old Trafford when progress is avoiding a heavy defeat against Liverpool. It will take years for Ten Hag to successfully rebuild the club and that means there should be no mass hysteria should Liverpool beat United on Monday.
Liverpool emerging with the three points would mean three defeats from three games this season, but in the context, nothing would have changed since losing to Brentford. United aren't expected to get close to Liverpool and that needs to be accepted.
After approaching Real Madrid this week, United have reached an agreement for Casemiro and he is set to become Ten Hag's most important signing of the summer. He will not be signed in time to play Liverpool, but he'll be available when the reverse fixture comes.
United play Liverpool at Anfield in March and Ten Hag should be judged then, not on Monday when he has the benefit of a free pass.
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