Manchester United kick off the new Premier League season against Arsenal on Sunday.
New Manchester United signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha pose together with team shirts prior to the pre-season friendly match between United and Fiorentina
Manchester United have spent big on Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha
It was Manchester United against Arsenal at Old Trafford that prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to make then Gooner Viv Anderson his first Reds signing.
The defender joined United in 1987 as Fergie's first addition - alphabetically as Brian McClair arrived at the same time - and has first hand experience of what it's like to be part of a Reds rebuild, and how it feels to be cast aside with his United career lasting just four years and appearances hard to come by in the latter two.
And so, speaking to the Manchester Evening News as part of his work with Prostate Cancer UK, Anderson is well placed to offer words of advice to Ruben Amorim, the big-money arrivals, and assess the mouthwatering opening day contest between two Premier League heavyweights.
United could field a new look attack of summer signings Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and Anderson hopes the trio can adapt quickly to the pressures of playing at Old Trafford.
"Until you walk in the door you don't realise how difficult it can be for players," he said. "Good players going to Manchester United doesn't always apply.
"Hopefully the new signings will hit the ground running but it is never that easy because of the expectations, the 70,000 fans and what has gone before you.
"The best way to adapt is by winning matches and getting off to a good start.
"You have to do the basics that got you there in the first place and the things the manager saw in you in the first place."
That manager is now entering his first full season in charge at United and will be aiming to compete at the top end of the table having suffered a woeful domestic campaign last term, when the Reds finished 15th.
Viv Anderson pictured in the Prostate United shirt at Classic Football Shirts, Dale Street, Manchester
Viv Anderson(Image: Paul Greenwood)
Anderson believes starting well will be crucial for Amorim, given the pressure that will mount if results go awry and the questions that will be asked of a manager who has spent nearly £200million and exiled some big name players this summer.
"Things get escalated at United because it is such a big club worldwide," said Anderson. "Being Man United manager is a very difficult job with very difficult decisions.
"You need confidence, if they get off to a good start then they can do well. It is important to start well after a disastrous season last season. They need to be on the front foot against a really good team.
"Arsenal have strengthened well and so have Manchester United, in fairness. I think it will be an intriguing game."
Anderson was speaking in his role as a supporter of Prostate Cancer UK. One in eight men will get prostate cancer, a statistic which shortens to one in four if you are black – but it is a disease that is curable if caught early. More than 4.3 million people have used Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker. Check your risk today at https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker