Manchester United fans have just suffered maybe the biggest insult of the Glazer era

Before kick-off, a supporter ascending the steps in the south stand en route to their seat paused and got my attention. "Arnautovic: is it true?"

"For United's sake, I hope not." The supporter laughed and crossed his fingers. Unfortunately for United followers, it is true.

United have bid €8million for a former Stoke and West Ham forward who is 33-years-old, last played in England three years ago, spent two of those years in the Chinese Super League and plays as though he belongs in a different decade.

Also read: Why United are open to signing Arnautovic after €8m bid

On a day United suffered an opening defeat for only the seventh time in the Premier League era, the Arnautovic development was the lowest point.

Lower than David de Gea going with his feet rather than his hands, lower than Luke Shaw jogging while Danny Welbeck was sprinting, lower than Scott McTominay's six touches outside the Brighton area, lower than Moises Caicedo - coveted by United 18 months ago - bossing their midfield again.

Lower than Bruno Fernandes's regression, lower than Marcus Rashford's finishing, lower than Erik ten Hag's Christian Eriksen experiment, lower than the dilatory substitutions.

Bidding for Arnautovic is the lowest ebb in the last nine years. It is a move that is an affront to the supporters who have renewed their season tickets and walked down Warwick Road in the Sunday sunshine hoping United had turned a leaf. It was an extension of the same chastening chapter.

If any other Premier League club was linked with Arnautovic your instinct would be, "nah, there's got to be a better option". Perhaps Bournemouth, at a push, would be the exception. That is where United are at.

The transfer window is developing into a gag: Benni