Erik ten Hag is already showing why Manchester United were right to appoint him as manager

After six dress rehearsals, it is almost showtime for Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman will take charge of his first competitive fixture as Manchester United manager when Brighton & Hove Albion visit Old Trafford in Sunday's Premier League opener. It will officially mark the beginning of a new dawn in M16 and the feel-good factor that is felt by just about every supporter on the opening day of the season will be in full swing.

United, who were beaten 4-0 by the Seagulls in their last meeting back in May, resulting in hundreds of Reds supporters descending on Falmer train station before the full-time whistle had even been blown, will be determined to make a winning start and avoid setting an unwanted record of starting a new season with a defeat after ending the previous campaign with one - something the club has never done in the Premier League era. United lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace on the final day of last season.

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Since the 1-0 defeat to Palace 76 days ago, a lot has changed at United, both on the pitch and off it. Ten Hag, who watched from the stands at Selhurst Park that afternoon, flanked by assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren, got his feet under the table immediately, hosting his first press conference at Old Trafford less than 24 hours after the final whistle on a wretched 2021/22 campaign had been sounded.

Since that day, the Dutchman has wasted little time in trying to put the foundations in place for what he and the supporters hope will be a successful first season of the new era. United wasted no time at all in saying goodbye to big-name stars Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani.

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