Even when they are deliberately downplayed, expectations at Manchester United can't help but creep back up again.
No lofty targets were set upon Erik ten Hag when he took the reigns of the lame horse back in the summer. It was widely accepted that he had inherited a mess of a squad, low on morale and identity, and that he would need time to muck out the stable. To expect United to be immediately rid of their problems or to even have a sniff at the title would be folly. A return to the top four was the highest many dared to dream.
It initially looked like Ten Hag had an even tougher job than everyone thought when his new side threw away all progress made in pre-season and conspired to lose to Brighton on the opening day and were destroyed by Brentford afterwards. The Dutchman already cut a forlorn figure on the sidelines in record time and looked as though he may not even be long for the club.
