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.
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However, there can be little excuse for United's pursuit of Marko Arnautovic, a 33-year-old forward who few other sides in the Premier League would even consider signing this summer, if any at all. Man City have just won the Premier League and bolstered their forward line with Erling Haaland. Liverpool won a domestic double and signed Darwin Nunez. United tried and failed to sign them both, and instead are shopping for anyone who will join the club and that their coaching staff knows.
There are already comparisons being made suggesting Arnautovic could be like another Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired signing. The truth is it stinks of desperation in the same vein as Odion Igahlo and Edinson Cavani — though they both had more obvious merits than the Austrian forward.
It is a similar story in the pursuit of Adrien Rabiot, another player who has no other logical suitor this summer, and who, despite addressing a problem position in the squad, does not necessarily have the qualities to do so successfully.
With a move for Frenkie de Jong still no closer to completion, it seems like desperation is starting to kick in and United's vague transfer policy has now been broadened to include just about anyone who is willing to entertain an offer.
The issue for United is that they are lacking bodies after a summer in which six senior players left for free, and the closer they get to deadline day, the greater their desperation will grow for anyone to arrive through the door.
United are also in a tricky predicament given this summer has been all about showing trust in their new manager. When chief executive Richard Arnold held court with disgruntled fans at a pub back in June, he insisted the club wanted to learn from past mistakes and backed Ten Hag to do whatever he wanted.
If the Dutchman sees value in Arnautovic and Rabiot then he must be given the funds necessary to complete a deal, just as he was in the pursuits of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.
There was always an element of risk in appointing someone whose success was limited to Dutch football, regardless of his European exploits, but with his appointment came a show of faith from United in his ability to turn things around.
United know that the biggest mistake they can make this summer is to go against the wishes of the new man in charge. If gradual change is to be implemented, then it is Ten Hag who must be given blind backing for this summer at least.
The club must continue to show their full faith in the new manager, even if they have obvious doubts.
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