MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for yet another new era at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim becomes the latest manager tasked with bringing back the glory days not seen since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Ruben Amorim is preparing for his first match as Manchester United managerGetty
GettyThe Portuguese gaffer replaced Erik ten Hag and begins away at Ipswich[/caption]
Amorim had to wait until the international break to leave Sporting and officially replace Erik ten Hag, who was axed after just over two years on October 28.
But nearly a month later and following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell, the wait to see Amorim take charge of their side is virtually over for Red Devils fans.
United travel to Portman Road on Sunday afternoon to face an Ipswich team who beat Tottenham last time out – while Van Nistelrooy signed off with a comfortable 3-0 win over another newly-promoted side in Leicester.
The pressure will be on the new Portuguese arrival to get off to a winning start.
But how did Manchester United’s previous bosses get on in their opening Premier League matches in the dugout?
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY, 2024
Van Nistelrooy began and ended his four-match stint with wins over Leicester.
But his first league clash in the dugout was a home tie against Chelsea, which finished 1-1.
Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot but Moises Caicedo cancelled it out to share the points at Old Trafford.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
GettyRuud van Nistelrooy earned a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in his first Premier League game in charge[/caption]
That would be the only game Van Nistelrooy did not win in charge as he masterminded a 2-0 victory over PAOK in the Europa League as well.
ERIK TEN HAG, 2022
One could say it was doomed from the beginning for Ten Hag after his absolutely abysmal start.
United lost 2-1 at home to Brighton in his debut match as Pascal Gross grabbed a first-half double, while the hosts were helped out by an Alexis Mac Allister own goal.
And when the Red Devils were thrashed 4-0 at Brentford in Ten Hag’s next match, there were genuine fears he would be sacked after just two matches.
APErik ten Hag started with a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton[/caption]
RALF RANGNICK, 2021
The German was not exactly the most popular appointment as interim manager when he took over in December 2021.
There were definitely plenty of complaints about his spell at Old Trafford – but in fairness, he did make a solid start.
Rangnick led United to a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace with Fred getting the only goal 13 minutes from time.
Ralf Rangnick had plenty to cheer about on his Prem debutGetty
MICHAEL CARRICK, 2021
Van Nistelrooy is not the only temporary boss to face Chelsea in his first match – and not the only one to draw 1-1.
Carrick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer briefly in 2021 when the Norwegian was axed after the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
The former midfielder had a tough pair of Prem fixtures – Chelsea away and Arsenal at home.
But he took four points, thanks to Jadon Sancho’s goal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge then Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo inspired a 3-2 win over the Gunners before Rangnick stepped in.
Michael Carrick oversaw a 1-1 draw with Chelsea first up in the leagueRichard Pelham / The Sun
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, 2018
Solskjaer’s first Premier League match was a visit to one of his former clubs – Cardiff City.
And he got off to the best start imaginable when Marcus Rashford fired United ahead in the third minute.
Things got better and better with Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard scoring twice in a 5-1 victory.
The Norwegian went unbeaten in his first 12 league games, winning ten to help him land the job on a permanent basis.
APOle Gunnar Solskjaer got his interim reign off to a brilliant start at Cardiff[/caption]
JOSE MOURINHO, 2016
Like Solskjaer, Mourinho also got off to a fantastic start in the Premier League.
He won his first three games, including an opening day victory at Bournemouth, winning 3-1 with goals from Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Red Devils shot to the top of the table after the win but would be no match for Manchester City in the title race that season.
PAJose Mourinho also started well but could not maintain his early success[/caption]
LOUIS VAN GAAL, 2014
It was a disaster for Van Gaal in his first game – a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford.
And things did not get better soon after for the Dutchman with draws against Sunderland and Burnley before he finally got his first Premier League win over QPR.
In fairness, he did have to start a back three with the inexperienced Tyler Blackett alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling against the Swans, with Lingard and Javier Hernandez also being forced off with injury.
PALouis van Gaal is one of just two United managers to lose his first Premier League game in charge[/caption]
RYAN GIGGS, 2014
The legendary winger stepped in to finish off the ill-fated 2013-14 season, replacing David Moyes for the final four Premier League games.
That started with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Norwich at Old Trafford with Rooney and Mata grabbing two each while Carrick started in midfield.
Player-manager Giggs then lost 1-0 at Sunderland, beat Hull 3-1 and finished his brief tenure with a 1-1 draw away to Southampton.
AFPRyan Giggs saw off Norwich in his first match as player-manager[/caption]
DAVID MOYES, 2013
David Moyes showed Van Gaal how to mastermind a win over Swansea, beating the Welsh side 4-1 away.
Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck both scored twice for a star-studded United side which included Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Carrick.
But the Red Devils’ Premier League form under Moyes quickly unravelled with defeats against Liverpool, Manchester City and West Brom in his first six matches.
GettyAfter beating Swansea David Moyes failed to build on his dream start[/caption]
SIR ALEX FERGUSON, 1992
A 2-1 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane kicked off a new era for English football as the first-ever Premier League match.
Brian Deane had the honour of scoring the first-ever Premier League goal in the fifth minute and added a second via the penalty spot before half-time.
Mark Hughes pulled one back after the break but it was not enough to prevent defeat.
Despite the setback, United went on to win the league that season – although it would take something remarkable for Amorim to follow suit come May.
GettySir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League era kicked off with a shock defeat at Sheffield United[/caption]
