From top of the world, down to earth; Manchester United's alarming pre-season a wake up call

Erik Ten Hag's first season has its good and bad moments, but by the standard set at the club lately, it's fair enough to conclude it was a success.

It was even better when you add that Manchester United won their first silverware in more than five years, following the win over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, back in the end of February.

The club also reached the final of the Emirates FA Cup but unfortunately, they could not get the better of their city rivals, Manchester City, who completed a double en route to winning a treble.

With his first season gone, expectation is that the club will level up next season and stage a real fight for the Premier League title, including an impressive run as they return to the company of elites in the UEFA Champions League.

However, the signs from their pre-season has shown evidence that the club has not learn from the costly mistakes made in the league last season, which saw them blown away in what could have easily been a three horse race for the title.

Started the summer by beating Leeds United and Lyon before treating their fans in the United States to a beautiful performance in the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, when they humbled fellow Premier League club, Arsenal.

It was a really impressive performance from the Reds, who had the game won with two first half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho, before going on to complete the brace by also winning in the shoot-out.

The excitement level was at the climax for United faithfuls, seeing their club perform and doing so consistently, while the defence even kept clean sheets in all three games.

They were top of the world and many of their well wishers would have wished the season to come so they can get to see more of their club, whose confident level seemed unbreakable at the time.

Unfortunately, the plot started to twist and first, they met a first defeat of pre-season in a 3-1 loss to Wrexham, a match that was played by the youth players, just to get them game time with the club having a clash with Real Madrid less than 24 hours later.

The match against Real Madrid did came and it spelt another defeat, even though this time, it was the first team players that feature, all in their complete completion.

Cameroonian Goalkeeper, Andre Onana was also marking his unofficial debut but not even he could prevent Madrid from winning, as only six minutes into the game, he was chipped whilst off his line by Jude Bellingham to open the scoring.

A sensational bicycle kick goal by Joselu later in the game sealed a 2-0 win for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and it would have been better had United respond against Dortmund four days later, but again, they failed in their attempt.

Just as they did in the turn of the year when they lost the chances to become one of the contenders for the Premier League title. Dortmund ended up winning the game 3-2 thanks to a Donyell Malen's brace and a Youssoufa Moukoko's winner.

The last two games have served as wake up call for both the Manager and players of the possibility of errors unforgiven, recurring in the course of their season.

Summer signing, Mason Mount has not hit the ground running but that could be expected from the Englishman, who had a tough time at Chelsea last season.

However, the pre-season games are supposed to get players up to speed and create connections amongst teammates. United practically have one more to go and a 60 million pounds signing hasn't get a grip of himself.

Andre Onana has only played 135 minutes but has chipped in three goals. Albeit he had no real fault in those goals conceded, he is now a part of the team and has to take responsibility, each time he picks the ball out of his own net.

Nonetheless, the former Inter man has been impressive in his contribution to the teams play. He has also been showing what he can do with his footwork. A highlight is that wonderful clearance to Marcus Rashford late in the loss to Dortmund.

That could have led to a potential opportunity had the Englishman showed more hunger. But, the time will come for him to show the hunger he is known for, when the real battle begins.

Rasmus Hojlund is also coming in and the club has to ensure a positive atmosphere and consistent performance, so as not to burden the younsgter and upset his development.

The group can make it work and they have at some point made it work. More consistency is what it takes and they will get United up to the level demanded.

Erik Ten Hag has to get the players delivering at all time. He was unable to do that in the most crucial moments last season but was forgiven because he has been able to do what no manager has been able to achieve in the club of late.

Success begs for more and the appetite is now grown. Time to take more responsibility as questions will be asked for every misplaced pass, every missed chance, every lost balls and every goal conceded.

The phase of forgiving and endurance is past. This is the standard in the Theater of Dreams and these will be demanded when the next season gets underway.

Hassan Afolabi