With the Premier League less than two weeks away now, things are beginning to shape up rather nicely for one of the most hotly anticipated seasons in recent memory.
In the weeks leading up to the opening weekend clubs have been splashing unprecedented, bordering on offensive, sums of money to land their top targets this summer in pursuit of silverware over the coming nine months or so.
The Premier League top six, aside from Tottenham so far, are leading the way in the raucous spending this window, with Manchester City alone having already forked out just over £212m as Pep Guardiola looks to bounce back after his first trophy-less maiden season at any club.
With the spending nothing like anything we've seen before, the pressure is now being further ramped up on the top managers to succeed immediately, there seems no time for long term plans this time around.
No other manager is under as much scrutiny to succeed as Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, having set out on another summer of star signings with Belgian international Romelu Lukaku topping the bill, and more seemingly on the way.
The former Chelsea manager enjoyed a solid first season in his biggest job yet. While they would have been desperate to finish inside the top four and qualify for the Champions League via the orthodox route, two major trophies and qualification via the Europa League will have been more than enough to satisfy, so long as further success follows.
It is not pretty to see instantaneous success being demanded by fan base after fan base, however, it's the reality which managers must cope with, which means for Mourinho a quick start in the Premier League is an absolute must this season.
The Portuguese arguably put more effort into building a winning mentality back into his side last season than he did on any other aspect, spending a fortune on the wages of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was testament to that given the arrogance and swagger he brings back.
At times last year the Red Devils showed glimpses of their former selves, the side which under Sir Alex Ferguson swept all before them, however the work is not done.
Comparatively United have a fairly easy opening run to their season, with their first four games coming against sides who finished in the bottom half last season. Their sternest test of those early games arguably comes against a West Ham side at Old Trafford who have strengthened to the tune of over 750 Premier League appearances, six winner's medals and a former United star in Javier Hernandez.
Despite all that Mourinho's side remain 1/3 favourites with Betway to beat Slaven Bilic's side and bag all three points on the opening weekend.
Such a result would spark the same arrogance and confidence we saw in the EFL Cup winners at times last season to set them off on an early season-defining run.
Mourinho will not want to let up on any front this season, he will set out to win everything possible come the opening day and while that is unrealistic it means he will be wanting to send out strong sides at every opportunity.
The former Real Madrid boss spent a lot of time in his press conferences last season bemoaning the fixture pile ups and their effect on his side, well they only get worse this season, meaning that while his squad are fresh and ready to go in the early weeks, it is vital they build up the points, form and confidence to carry them through the spells when resources will be spread thin.
A fast start this season will not guarantee success, it does not mean that United can avoid injury or other issues that arise and cripple a season, however, what it will do is give them the single best chance to go on and achieve what they set out to, should the factors out of a manager's control all stay on side this term.
Source: tribalfootball.com