There was a sense that Erik ten Hag was ahead of schedule in his Manchester United rebuild last season. A third-place finish and a trophy after six barren seasons have bought the Reds boss time with the current campaign slipping from his grasp.
United have regressed this term and are now perhaps behind the curve. United have won just one of their four Champions League games so far and will probably have to win both of their remaining fixtures to get out of the group.
The club are only five points off the top four but four wins in their last five Premier League games do not tell the full story. READ MORE: What happened in United behind-closed-doors friendly READ MORE: Mainoo, Amad, Rashford - United's injured best XI since pre-season began All victories have come by one-goal margins against Brentford, Sheffield United, Fulham and Luton Town.
Points-sanctioned Everton away, Newcastle away and Chelsea at home await following the international break in games that will really show the mettle of the side.