Manchester United spent close to 100 million euros this summer and began the campaign brimming with hope. The opening day brought a rude awakening. A 2-0 defeat to newly promoted Hull City raised fresh doubts over the Red Devils' ability to force their way back among the Premier League's elite.
The board spent the summer window rebuilding the midfield, landing Andrey Santos from Chelsea for 58 million euros and Youri Tielemans for 41 million euros to fill the void left by Casemiro. Carlos Baleba's arrival remains on the club's wish list.
Those investments could not paper over the cracks. The defeat to Hull laid bare the same old flaws, above all a back line that spent the afternoon under siege. Luke Shaw fell short down the left, and the attack barely threatened beyond a handful of half-chances.
Pre-season had offered no comfort either. United lurched from result to result, losing to Wrexham by a single goal before hammering Rosenborg 5-0. They edged Atletico Madrid 2-1, drew with Paris Saint-Germain and Leeds, then shipped four in a 4-2 hammering by Milan.
Hull confirmed every fear from those warm-up weeks. Santos and Tielemans could not stamp their authority on midfield, Bruno Fernandes went missing from his usual influence, and Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu offered next to nothing going forward.
Marcus Rashford came on for his first appearance, yet United could not change the game. Michael Carrick admitted afterwards that plenty needed fixing, insisting his side lacked the "spark" to turn chances into goals.
Such a start hands the board an early test. The club's stated ambitions run far higher: chief executive Omar Berrada declared in June 2025 that United could challenge for the title within two or three years.
On this evidence, that target looks a long way off. Bournemouth are next.