Ruben Amorim's second Manchester United match was at Old Trafford against Everton. Almost exactly one year on and the fixture repeated itself.
The result (and performance) was considerably worse the second time. United were beaten 1-0 by David Moyes, who had seen his side go down to 10 men early after an in-team fight on the pitch.
This is the sort of thing United have done to look incompetent but here they went one step further, conspiring to lose to a team literally at war with itself.
For Amorim, the league table is only marginally better than it was when he took over. Then, it was 16 points from 12 matches. United had scored 13 and conceded 13. Their goal difference was, as a result, zero.
A mixture of Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy was not great, but it was only two points worse off than just Amorim. He has United 10th (two places further up) with 19 points. They have scored more (19) but also conceded more (19). The goal difference is still zero.
This is not what Amorim had hoped for and the task, although easier on paper in terms of opponents, is actually about to get harder.
Mbeumo goes to AFCON
Bryan Mbeumo celebrates for Manchester UnitedREUTERS/Toby Melville
Of United's three big-money signings this summer, Bryan Mbeumo has so far been the best. He leads the squad for goals (six), shots, shots on target, through balls, and crosses in all competitions whilst only two players have more than his single assist.
He has also played nearly every minute, which is a good start. The bad part is that he will soon be gone for what could be over a month.
His Cameroon side start their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on December 24.The final of the competition is on January 18. United play 10 games in that period.
To make matters worse, they have won just once all season in games that Mbeumo has failed to score or assist in. That was against Chelsea when Enzo Maresca's side went down to 10 men after five minutes - only for Casemiro to level the playing field before half-time.
Against 11 men, United haven't won a game when Mbeumo hasn't had a goal contribution. In fact, using the same parameters, Amorim has only won seven league games against 11 men without Mbeumo scoring or assisting since he arrived as coach.
A reminder, Mbeumo joined four months ago and Amorim had eight months without him to bulk out that record.
Their wins this season have been against Burnley (Mbeumo goal), Chelsea, Sunderland (Mbeumo assist), Liverpool (Mbeumo goal), and Brighton (two for Mbeumo).
His other goal came in the draw to Tottenham before the international break. In other words, when he doesn't score or assist, they do not win.
Against Burnley, Liverpool, and Brighton, his goals have been the difference between a draw and win. Mbeumo has been decisive.
Amorim needs to find answers
Manchester United manager Ruben AmorimREUTERS/Phil Noble
For much of this season, Mbeumo has been Amorim's go-to. He has got the team out of jail and gelled well.
Matheus Cunha may not have the weight of incredible numbers to back up his performances, but they have been good. After a slow start, Benjamin Sesko had been finding his feet as well prior to injury.
All of this will give Amorim hope that he can find a way to win at United without Mbeumo.
If the 26-year-old leaves the United camp on December 20, four days before Cameroon's first game, then there are four matches for him to play between now and then before heading out.
Staying put
Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo
United will be keen for him to stay a day longer so he can feature in the Aston Villa match on December 21. Even if Cameroon go out in the group stage he will miss games against Newcastle United and Wolves, perhaps Leeds United as well.
Should they get all the way to the final then he will be out for at least 10 matches. Cunha and Sesko will hope to be back for the bulk of those whilst no European football means less need to rotate for Amorim, but he will still need to work out how to replace Mbeumo.
If United are to show consistency and rise up the table, or at the very least avoid repeats of Everton, then they will need to do what they haven't done before against 10 men this season - win without a helping hand from Mbeumo.