August: A shaky start

16th August 2014: Louis van Gaal's first competitive match in charge of United, but the supposed 'new era' does not start well as United slip to a first opening day loss since 1972 as the Reds go down 2-1 at home to Swansea.

Wayne Rooney scores the Reds first goal of the new season, but strikes from Ki Sung-Yeung and Gylfi Sigurdsson give the Swans a first ever win at Old Trafford in a match that sees Red debuts for academy products Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard.

In the first away game of the campaign at Sunderland, Juan Mata puts the Reds ahead but former City man Jack Rodwell earns a share of the spoils for the Black Cats on Wearside.

Van Gaal has set United up to play in a 3-5-2 and this certainly seems to inhibit the players- who seem in a state of flux and confusion- culminating in undoubtedly the lowest point of the season two days later.

Tuesday 24 August: Capital One Cup second round: MK Dons 4-0 United.
An understrength and out of sorts United are emphatically thumped by Karl Robinson's vibrant young League One outfit. A bad night in which the only positives are first senior United games for Saidy Janko, Reece James, Mike Keane and Andreas Pereira. 

The Reds finish the month with a goalless draw at newly promoted Burnley in a match that marks the United debut of £59.7 million man, Angel Di Maria. 

The Reds end the opening month of the season in 14th place. 

August: Played 4, Lost 2, Drawn 2, Goals For 2, Goals Against 7
Top scorer: Rooney/Mata (1 each)