A new era, an almost unimaginable era without Sir Alex Ferguson - but will it be the same old Manchester United?
The first taste of what is to come will be seen Saturday evening when David Moyes takes his first competitive game in charge - no the Community Shield does not count - against Capital Cup winners Swansea, who have already played a couple of proper games in the Europa League playoffs.
Moyes' life as United manager has not been made any easier by the fixture list which sees the reigning English Premier League champs take on Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City within the first five league games.
The former Everton boss has already complained about what he deems to be the toughest opening fixture list for United yet, but he can look at it in two ways -- either cower down and hope for the best, or look to make a statement with these big matches coming up and set himself on his way to the post-Ferguson era.
It is an almost impossible task that Moyes finds himself in - it is near impossible to even fill half of Ferguson's shoes, let alone fit into it all the way. And the fact that United have not been able to apply some stardust in the transfer window has complicated matters further.
But on the bright side, Moyes has inherited pretty much the same side, which cantered to the Premier League title last season.
If there is one thing that these boys from United are is they are winners, and winners of the highest order. So, the mentality is already there; and as long as Moyes can stamp his authority and move away from the imposing shadow of Ferguson it might just be a great opening season in a new era for the club.
However, the new manager will have to deal with the Wayne Rooney situation, and whether the England international will play any part against Swansea, having proved his fitness by turning out for England against Scotland, remains to be seen.
Moyes has so far refuted all reports of a rift with the 27-year-old, and has categorically said the player is not for sale.
So Rooney needs to be integrated into the squad sooner rather than later, and naming the England international on the bench could be the first step towards reconciliation - Rooney of course will want to start, but that remains highly unlikely.
Instead, Moyes' reliance will be on the other striker at United - Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman showed his worth and class in the Community Shield game against Wigan, scoring both the goals.
If United are to seriously challenge Chelsea and Manchester City this season, then Van Persie will have to have another one of those magical seasons.
While the fixture list attention naturally went towards the games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, the opening match could very well be just as difficult.
Swansea went from strength to strength last season and with Michael Laudrup remaining at the Liberty Stadium, they have continuity this year.
In Wilfried Bony, their new signing, they have a striker capable of setting the Premier League on fire, kind of like how Christian Benteke did last season.
"It's never the right time to face a team like Manchester United," Laudrup said. "But we know we have to play them and playing them first is not bad for us.
"Whatever they do, they will put out a strong team. But I'd prefer to play them now, instead of October and November maybe.
"If you have success against a certain team, then you will try and bring that along whenever you play that club.
"We played Everton (Moyes' former club) twice last season and they did every well against us, particularly at the Liberty, but we still created a lot of chances in the home game."
Swansea will be without Jonathan De Guzman for the opening game of the season after the midfielder suffered a concussion on international duty for the Netherlands.
While Ashley Young and Rafael are ruled out for United, Moyes major decision will be whether to play Rooney or not - and unlike at Everton, pretty much the entire world's eyes will be on him come Saturday - and how he responds to the pressure will probably set the tone for the rest of the year.
Expected lineups: Swansea: Vorm; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Britton, Canas; Routledge, Michu, Dyer; Bony.
Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Giggs, Carrick, Cleverley; Zaha, Van Persie, Welbeck.
Prediction: 2-1 to United
