This was always going to be a mammoth job for Ruben Amorim, who didn't take long to warn supporters of the "storm" that was heading Manchester United's way.
Thanks to Darragh, Arsenal's set-piece barrage and Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest, Amorim's foreshadowing quickly came to pass.
There have been bright sparks, but who knows how long it's going to take before an Amorim-led United side discovers their apex.
Things have certainly improved on the injury front for the Red Devils since the new manager's arrival. With the hectic festive period upcoming, squad rotation is key and the extremities of the talent at Amorim's disposal could be put to the test in Czechia on Thursday.
Here is the latest on United's injury concerns ahead of their trip to Viktoria Plzen.
Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw has suffered another injury setback / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro have both returned to full fitness since Amorim took charge and there have been further improvements on the fitness front ahead of Thursday's Europa League game.
The manager provided a positive update on Victor Lindelof last week, saying: "Victor returned to training but is not available for tomorrow [vs Nottingham Forest]. Maybe the next game, he will be available."
Lindelof has since returned to Man Utd training and could be available against Plzen. Jonny Evans, who hasn't featured since Amorim's United bow at Portman Road, is also back on the training pitch.
However, United are once again without Luke Shaw. The left-back had featured off the bench during the first three games of Amorim's reign but has since suffered "a small setback" which will see him miss the next few weeks.
Shaw made his first appearance of the season last month having missed start of the 2024/25 campaign due to a calf injury.
Bruno Fernandes
Amorim will have to manage Bruno Fernandes' workload / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages
United have few injury concerns higher up the pitch heading into Thursday's game and Amorim is expected to have young midfielder Toby Collyer available for the first time.
Collyer had featured sporadically under Erik ten Hag before he picked up an unspecified injury at the start of November. The 20-year-old is back in training.
Bruno Fernandes could finally earn some respite in midweek after he was withdrawn late on in the defeat to Forest due to fatigue. United's talisman is not believed to be dealing with an injury, but this seems like the right time to offer Fernandes a breather.
The Portugal international has started all but one of the Red Devils' Premier League and Europa League games this season.
Player Injury Status
Luke Shaw Hamstring Out
Jonny Evans Knock Available
Victor Lindelof Groin Available
Toby Collyer Knock Available
Bruno Fernandes Fatigue Doubtful
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