Rangchester.

My verdict? A very encouraging start. And I hope it continues. Our league needs a strong Manchester United. Even those that disagree with that statement surely accept that the United faithful have been through enough post-Fergie? There’s been enough pay-back for the glory years.

Granted - most of it has been self inflicted pain and it needn’t have been as bad as it got. Solskjaer was a massive mistake. Some of us pointed that out immediately the decision was made so I’m not being clever after the event.

Mourinho didn’t get the backing he needed and the Class of ‘92 did for him. Well - some of the noisier ones.

Van Gaal suffered in much the same way. He was never going to be allowed to impose his beliefs on United.

And as we all know - the thoroughly decent man that followed Fergie was undone by bitter sniping from the dressing room, from those whose time at Old Trafford was over. Even I found myself calling for him to be put out of his misery - largely because I couldn’t bear to see him being undermined so badly. Ed Woodward failed David Moyes. United paid a huge price.

So here we go again. Rangnick has impressed in his short time in charge. He speaks well. Whether he can get a tune out of United to match the words we’ll have to wait and see, but the opening 20/30 mins against Palace were encouraging.

There was an energy about United and they were worth the win. Other positives? A clean sheet for sure, but there weren’t many more so let’s not get too carried away.

I still believe that Ronaldo is as much a part of the problem as he is the solution. Yes - he’ll score goals. He’ll easily get 20+, but will they be in big games? At big moments? He has already - but will that continue to be the case? And can he play with Fernandes? If he does - who does their dirty work?

It won’t be Pogba - if he gets back in. And it’s not going to be Rashford - if he can stay in.

Some of my colleagues at beINSPORTS were surprised when I mentioned his poor form recently. Yes - he’s done some wonderful work raising the issue of school meals for the poorest - but he’s been MIA on the pitch now for getting on 18 months. He’s nowhere near his best and it’s got to be a worry for United. They can’t afford to carry another passenger. Right now I’d be starting Greenwood ahead of him. Rashford is way off. My advice? Forget Brand Rashford - and find Marcus Rashford.

I’m also still waiting to see why United paid £80m for Jadon Sancho. He isn’t doing enough. Nowhere near enough.

Rashford and Sancho aren’t the only England internationals whose form has deserted them. When is Jack Grealish going to start looking like a £100m footballer? He’s another one who could do with getting back to basics. His off field activities are in stark contrast to Rashford’s, but they’re obviously affecting his game.

At his best Grealish can be devastating. He’d have been first pick for me at the Euros, but he’s nothing like the player he was at Villa. That might be part of the problem. I’m not convinced that he’ll ever fit into City’s style because he slows things down too much. Already they’re adjusting to fit him in - but it’s not working. He’s going to have to work a lot harder to make himself useful to ‘them’.

I’m pleased to see Villa going so well under Steven Gerrard and Gary Mac. Gerrard has impressed me in his pre and post match interviews. These are usually bland affairs that we can do without (you’ve made 3 changes - what’s your thinking?) but Gerrard is a good listen. He speaks well and sounds like a manager. He’s used his time in Scotland well.

Well done Eddie. Newcastle needed that, but it’s going to get a whole lot more difficult. I also wish I hadn’t seen that picture post match. Beating Burnley 1-0 is nothing to get too excited about. The picture was obviously intended to underline how everyone is pulling together now - but it was also an unnecessary swipe at Brucey. There was no need chaps. If you finish higher than he took you - ok. But now isn't the time. 

I can’t pretend that I’m not worried for Burnley. This might just be the year that catches them out. Their stats aren’t much better than Newcastle’s now. The important one is - just one win. Both need another nine from 23 games. That’s a big ask.

And keep your eyes on Everton. There isn’t a goal in them - and they concede too many. If that isn’t a recipe for relegation I don’t know what is.