Today, Louis Van Gaal and his expensively-assembled cavalry ride to Burnley, desperately wanting to prove that the season ahead won’t be another write-off.
This would mean a debut for Angel Di Maria at Turf Moor, with the British record £60m signing gushing that United were the only team he was willing to leave Real Madrid for.
United, who spent most of last Sunday’s draw at Sunderland passing backwards or sideways, will be encouraged that Di Maria has 11 assists in his last 11 league outings.
Van Gaal should also be able to call upon Marcos Rojo, the fearsome Argentine signed for £16m from Sporting Lisbon, to bring order to a quite lacklustre defence. Rojo has been waiting for his work permit to come through, another frustration for the fallen giants.
It will mean nothing to Van Gaal but the folk of Burnley will recall United’s last visit there with a warm smile.
A sensational volley from Robbie Blake handed the Clarets victory about this time back in 2009, a famous result and what turned out to be a highlight in a season that saw them slide straight back down to the second tier.
