Twelve months on, in the newly named Premier League, United, this time strongly tipped to retain their champion's crown - were held to a goalless draw at Reading.
Despite spending over £50million in the summer on four new signings, only one - Nani - figured in the game.
But his appearance at the start of the second half came at a price when he replaced the injured Wayne Rooney.
Rooney failed to appear after the break after suffering a 36th minute injury when he was tackled by Michael Duberry as he drove over a cross from Michael Carrick.
The England star was immediately sent for a scan on his injured foot but the results are not yet known.
With Rooney joining Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the injured list and new boy Carlos Tevez still short of match-fitness, United's attacking options at Portsmouth on Wednesday look limited.
Reading came to Old Trafford to stop United playing and achieved their limited ambition to take a point.
With only Kevin Doyle in attack until the 72nd minute when he went off, they managed only one real chance - a weak 25-yard shot by Stephen Hunt nine minutes from time.
They were also down to ten men 37 seconds after substitute Dave Kitson replaced Doyle when the Reading striker went right through Patrice Evra with a terrible tackle which earned a straight red card from referee Rob Styles.
United created numerous chances, but found Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann in magnificent form.
The American keeper was beaten only once when, in the 23rd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo's wizardry bamboozled Hunt before the Portuguese star provided a glorious cross to find Ryan Giggs free on the left byline.
As Hahnemann covered his post, Giggs lashed his shot from six yards against the woodwork and wide.
After that, Hahnemann was in unbelievable form with a string of saves which left United totally frustrated.
The first came in the 63rd minute when Carrick's excellent pass found substitute John O'Shea free in the Reading penalty area but Hahnemann blocked his 12-yard effort at point-blank range.
Hahnemann went on to defy United again and again, hurling himself across goal to keep out efforts from Ronaldo and Carrick.
United piled everyone forward in a dramatic finale, but a Hahnemann inspired Reading held on as Old Trafford witnessed its first goalless draw in 16 months.