To the cacophonous sound of Hungarian braying, Manchester United's season opened in thoroughly humiliating fashion last night. Outfought and out-thought, Sir Alex Ferguson's vaunted Englishmen were defeated by neat and nimble opponents who take Bela Koplarovics's late goal to Old Trafford for the second leg on Aug 27.
That night will decide whether United go into the Champions League proper or head for the Continent's backwaters in the UEFA Cup. Ferguson's players will need to show greater spirit, co-ordination and finishing than their poor efforts here.