Manchester United are about to prove whether they can take the next step under Erik ten Hag

New season, new start. Isn't that how the mantra goes?

Yet, you can be rest assured that some Manchester United supporters, once they take up their positions inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday teatime, will have memories of last season's away day struggles creeping into their minds. For all of the improvements United made last season, their away form was not one of them.

The Reds, who are still looking to add new signings to their ranks ahead of the transfer window closing in a fortnight's time, earned just four points from a possible 27 against top-half Premier League teams away from home last season. It was an alarming record they couldn't hide from.

United lost seven of their nine away games against fellow top-half sides, taking points off only Fulham (3) and Tottenham Hotspur (1). It would have been even fewer had it not been for Alejandro Garnacho's late heroics on the banks of the Thames at Craven Cottage in November.

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Comparing it with their exemplary record at Old Trafford last season, United's record on the road, certainly against the division's best teams, was nothing short of shambolic. They were bullied by the likes of Brentford (4-0), Liverpool (7-0) and Manchester City (6-3). They were also given dressing downs by Aston Villa (3-1) and Newcastle United (2-0), though the scorelines were not quite as horrifying.

United, when the going got tough on their travels last season, crumbled in dramatic fashion. Their 7-0 hiding at Anfield was a prime example.

However, such is the way that United, generally