Jadon Sancho has gone where only Cristiano Ronaldo went with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

When Manchester United's season began at home to Wolves on August 14, there was plenty of optimism and hope among supporters that a fruitful campaign lay ahead.

One of world football's quintessential ball-playing goalkeepers had joined from Champions League finalists Inter Milan, Erik ten Hag's midfield had been refreshed by the arrival of Mason Mount and an encouraging young striker had been signed to take the goal-scoring burden off Marcus Rashford.

Fast-forward three weeks and that optimism has been seriously dampened. Amid City's utter dominance, a title charge was never realistically on the cards and United's form over the opening four games of the season suggests they face a fight to finish in the top four.

United's home record under Ten Hag last season was exemplary, and results-wise that has continued into the new campaign, but their away record is diabolical and serious cause for concern.

Read more: Sancho may find there is no way back for him at United

Under Ten Hag, against teams that finished inside the top 14 in last season's Premier League, United's record reads: played 15, won two, drawn three, lost 10. That is appalling for a team that went an entire league campaign undefeated on the road just three years ago, albeit in stadiums without supporters.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the manager back then, guiding United to a second-place finish, and it feels like there are a few similarities between United's start to this season and Solskjaer's doomed final months in charge.

As was the case this summer, two years ago it felt as though United had made the necessary signings to push the team on following an encouraging previous season. Jadon Sancho was a player United had admired for years and having failed to