United beaten 2-1 by Swansea on van Gaal debut.
Check in to Sunderland vs Manchester United
Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City on the opening day of the new Premier League season, bringing to an end an incredible 42-year run for the Red Devils.
The last time United were beaten at home on the opening day of the league season was all the way back in 1972, long before even Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge at Old Trafford.
Frank O’Farrell was the manager then, and his side were beaten 2-1 by Ipswich Town to mark a bad start to a bad season, which United fans will be hoping is not an omen here for life under Louis van Gaal.
That season, United had to wait until late September for their first victory, and ended the season in 18th place. Although it is hard to see a repeat of that for this side, it is a mark of how far the club has fallen since Ferguson’s retirement as manager.
The Scot took the club to whole new levels of unprecedented success during his reign, but his departure was felt instantly last season as David Moyes struggled badly to continue United’s success, finishing trophyless and in 7th place.
Still, the former Everton manager did enjoy a win on his first day as United’s manager in the Premier League, winning 4-1 away to Swansea this time last year.
Van Gaal, however, will have to do some good work in the transfer market to avoid another disastrous season for the club, with today’s youthful side looking distinctly average as they went down 2-1 to their visitors.
SEE MORE: England v India live cricket stream
SEE ALSO: The 50 Premier League Predictions of the final standings in 2014/15!
Read more Manchester United FC news.