Two games in, against sides they should be looking to beat if they want to reach the Champions League, they’ve only managed a point.
First up, at home to Swansea, they slumped to an embarrassing defeat – the 2-1 loss was United’s first opening-day home defeat since 1972 and Swansea’s first league win at Man Utd.
Then on Sunday, set up in Van Gaal’s favoured 3-4-1-2 formation, they again looked totally out of sorts and only managed a 1-1 draw with Sunderland, who narrowly avoided relegation last season.
Jack Rodwell celebrates scoring Sunderland’s equaliser
New manager Louis Van Gaal has demanded improvement.
“We still have only one point. That’s not good enough, I think, for Manchester United,” said the former Netherlands boss.
The former champions already five points behind the early pace-setters in their attempts to improve on a disappointing seventh-place finish in May.
Juan Mata had put Van Gaal’s side in front
Premier League results
Aug 24
Hull 1 – 1 Stoke
Tottenham 4 – 0 QPR
Sunderland 1 -1 Manchester United
Aug 23
Aston Villa 0 – 0 Newcastle
Chelsea 2 – 0 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1 – 3 West Ham
Southampton 0 – 0 West Brom
Swansea 1 – 0 Burnely
Everton 2 – 2 Arsenal
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