Ten Hag fate, injury concerns, Europa League hopes, top four - Man United season predicted
In a first summer transfer window under new sporting control, Manchester United entered the 2024/25 season with some positivity. Erik ten Hag had just won the FA Cup, the signings appeared to be aligned and promising, and things could hardly get any worse.
Just three games into the new campaign and the clouds have started to gather above Old Trafford yet again. The reality of Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe being unable to shift the entire mood of the club has settled already.
Two losses in a row in the final week before the first international break of the season has left plenty to ponder for United. Losing is always bad, but to go down 2-1 to Brighton thanks to a last-minute goal in the manner that came about following a disallowed strike of their own and then being taunted by arch-rivals Liverpool, is about as tough as it gets.
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Ten Hag now has two weeks to work with a small group of remaining players at Carrington. He will hope that before long, Rasmus Hojlund is able to return, whilst Manuel Ugarte will be up for selection as well once domestic football is back in a fortnight.
The Uruguay midfielder has plenty to live up to if he is to solve the problems at hand though. United are already teetering on the brink of collapse, such was the forensic analysis after Sunday's defeat to Liverpool, and expectations had been so much higher.
Here, MEN Sport goes through just what has been predicted for the season.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both had United down to make it three trophies in three years under Ten Hag before things kicked off. When