Erik ten Hag will be looking to get off to the perfect start as Manchester United manager when his side welcomes Brighton to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for their Premier League opener.
United, who were beaten 4-0 by the Seagulls in their most recent meeting back in May, will be determined to mark the beginning of a new dawn in M16 with maximum points. Ten Hag has overseen a summer of transition, resulting in his squad producing some encouraging signs in pre-season.
Even though the Reds failed to win half of their friendlies, their performances, for the most part, were eye-catching, with Ten Hag setting about giving United a much-needed identity once again. They were particularly excellent in the wins over Liverpool and Crystal Palace.
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But pre-season counts for little once the competitive action gets underway, meaning the visit of Brighton will mark Ten Hag's first meaningful challenge in the dugout. And the Dutchman will be determined to get off to a positive start as he aims to avoid setting an unwanted club record.
United, with Ten Hag watching from the stands, lost their final game of last season, going down 1-0 to Palace at Selhurst Park. Former United winger Wilfried Zaha netted the only goal of the game to inflict further misery on his old club.
Defeat at Palace back in May means that United must not get beat against Brighton to avoid setting an unwanted record. Never in the Premier League era have the Reds started a new campaign with a defeat when losing on the final day of the season prior.
You have to go all the way back to 1973 for the last time United did that. They lost 3-0 to Arsenal on the opening day of the 1973/74 season after losing 1-0 to Chelsea on the final day of the 1972/73 campaign.
Fortunately for United and Ten Hag, United's most recent managers have fared well in their first game in charge of the club. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, only Louis van Gaal has lost his first game in charge, meaning Ten Hag will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of David Moyes, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in making a winning start.
Furthermore, United have won 10 of their last 13 opening day fixtures. They beat Leeds United 5-1 a year ago to get off to a flying start in 2021/22.
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