Erik ten Hag's nightmare sparked Man Utd turning point - but Dutchman faces Groundhog Day

On Saturday, Manchester United return to the scene of one of the most humiliating results in the club's recent history.

United have suffered some embarrassing losses in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, most notably last season's crushing 7-0 mauling at arch rivals Liverpool. But the 4-0 defeat at Brentford last season saw Erik ten Hag lose his first two games in charge and left United rock bottom of the Premier League on zero points.

It led to legitimate questions about Ten Hag's suitability to manage United, with the emphatic loss coming on the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton on the opening day. Ten Hag was so incensed with his players he cancelled a scheduled day off and made his squad run 13.8km – the distance Brentford out-ran United by – in the blistering August heat.

The United boss took part in the running punishment himself, to show his players he did not absolve himself of blame and to underline the importance of collective responsibility. The decision paid off, as United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford in their next game to kickstart a season that would see them finish third and win a first trophy for six years in the EFL Cup.

But the Brentford debacle proved a turning point for United, with the side that will line up at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday vastly different to the one that folded there last season. When United line-up at Brentford side on Saturday, there could be as many as eight changes from the side that found itself 4-0 down inside 35 minutes last term and unable to produce anything in reply.

Three of United's starting line-up that day – David De Gea, Fred and Cristiano Ronaldo - are no longer at the club, with another starter, Jadon Sancho, on loan at Borussia Dortmund. Anthony