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.
Amorim had to wait until the international break to leave Sporting and officially replace Erik ten Hag, who was fired on October 28 after just over two years.
But almost a month later, and after Ruud van Nistelrooy's interim spell, the wait to see Amorim take charge of their side is all but over for Red Devils fans.
United travel to Portman Road on Sunday afternoon to take on an Ipswich team who beat Tottenham last time out – with Van Nistelrooy finishing with a comfortable 3-0 win over another promoted side in Leicester.
The pressure will be on the new Portuguese arrival to make a winning start.
But how did Manchester United's previous bosses go about their first Premier League games in the dugout?
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY, 2024
Van Nistelrooy started and ended his four-match spell with wins over Leicester.
But his first league match in the dugout was a home game against Chelsea, which finished 1-1.
Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot, but Moises Caicedo canceled it out to share the points at Old Trafford.
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That would be the only match that Van Nistelrooy did not win in charge, because he was also the mastermind behind a 2-0 victory over PAOK in the Europa League.
ERIK TEN HAAG, 2022
You could say it was doomed from the start for Ten Hag after his absolutely miserable start.
United lost 2–1 at home to Brighton in his debut match as Pascal Gross grabbed a first-half double, while the home side were helped by an own goal from Alexis Mac Allister.
And when the Red Devils were defeated 4-0 at Brentford in Ten Hag's next match, there were genuine fears that he would be sacked after just two games.
RALF RANGNICK, 2021
The German was not exactly the most popular interim manager appointment when he took over in December 2021.
There were certainly a lot of complaints about his time at Old Trafford, but in fairness he made 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.
MICHAEL CARRICK, 2021
Van Nistelrooy isn't the only temporary boss to face Chelsea in his first game – and not the only one to draw 1-1.
Carrick briefly replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021 when the Norwegian was dropped following the 4-1 defeat to Watford.
The former midfielder had a difficult Prem match: 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, before Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo inspired a 3-2 win over the Gunners before Rangnick intervened.
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 as And Herrera, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard scored twice in a 5-1 win.
The Norwegian went undefeated in his first twelve league games, winning ten of them, which helped him land the job permanently.
JOSE MOURINHO, 2016
Just like Solskjaer, Mourinho also had a fantastic start in the Premier League.
He won his first three games, including an opening day win 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.
LOUIS VAN GAAL, 2014
It was a disaster for Van Gaal in his first match: a 2-1 defeat against Swansea City at Old Trafford.
And things got better for the Dutchman soon after with draws against Sunderland and Burnley before finally securing his first Premier League win over QPR.
In fairness, he had to start a back three against the Swans with the inexperienced Tyler Blackett alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, with Lingard and Javier Hernandez also having to leave with injury.
RYAN GIGGS, 2014
The legendary winger stepped in to end the ill-fated 2013/2014 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 ended his short tenure with a 1-1 draw against Southampton.
DAVID MOYES, 2013
David Moyes showed Van Gaal how to seal a win over Swansea by beating the Welsh side 4-1.
Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck both scored twice for the star-studded United team, which included Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Carrick.
But the Red Devils' Premier League form under Moyes quickly disintegrated with defeats to Liverpool, Manchester City and West Brom in his first six games.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON, 1992
A 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane heralded a new era for English football as the first ever Premier League match.
Brian Deane had the honor of scoring the first ever Premier League goal in the fifth minute and added a second from the penalty spot before half-time.
Mark Hughes pulled one back after the break but it wasn't enough to avoid defeat.
Despite the setback, United won the league that season, although it would take something remarkable for Amorim to follow suit in May.
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