'We'll really shake them up, when we win the FA Cup' - a line from the famous old song was filling the evening air as fans filtered away from Wembley having won the FA Cup back in May.
As fans celebrated the Cup win under the Wembley Arch, the shake up was well and truly underway. Before fans even had the time to order a celebratory beer and before the lid of the famous old trophy was found, news was breaking of the first casualty of the shake up - Louis Van Gaal.
Social media was awash with reports that Van Gaal had been given his marching orders and Jose Mourinho was set to take over as Manchester United manager, although no official note or confirmation had been forthcoming from the club. As fans reached the stations and boarded the tube, there was only one person's name being sung and it wasn't that of the FA Cup winning goalscorer Jesse Lingard, it was Mourinho's name that was being given the ringing endorsement by celebratory reds.
Attention soon turned to the speculation of the manager's future and come early Monday morning the world's media swamped the entrance to the Carrington training complex. Rumours continued to gather pace on social media and Van Gaal had already boarded a plane to Portugal by the time the official confirmation of his sacking had arrived. It's never nice to see a manager lose his job, but the relief that followed Van Gaal's departure was celebrated as much as the Cup win in many quarters, with many of the United playing staff privately celebrating and feeling the relief.
United acted fast. Jose was confirmed as the club's manager within days. The man many wanted when Sir Alex Ferguson retired was now the manager of Manchester United and the club finally looked like it had a direction again.
One thing lacking from United over the last few years under David Moyes and Van Gaal was arrogance. Teams came to Old Trafford without fear and referees and officials could feel like they were really in charge. The "MUFC - Not arrogant, just better" flag was quickly being hoisted back to the top of its pole. The arrogance level soon raised up another notch with the capture of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and by the time Paul Pogba had put pen to paper the dark days of the last three years seemed a million miles away.
One of those darkest days was last December's trip to Bournemouth, a performance so limp even Viagra would have struggled! As fans waited for the team in the Bournemouth airport, Van Gaal escaped the backlash as the they slipped away unnoticed.
It was in stark contrast to the mood which greeted the United team as they kicked off this Premier League season at Bournemouth in the seaside sunshine. The traveling Red Army sensed that the club was back. Mourinho's name was sung loud and proud alongside songs for the new man Zlatan.
The 6'5" Swedish hero soon obliged by getting on the score sheet and celebrating with the new manager. Antonio Valencia looked a different player and has rediscovered his ability to beat a man and provide a cross, something which can only benefit Wayne Rooney and the big Swede. Eric Bailly looks a monster in defence, after brushing aside Jamie Vardy in the Wembley Community Shield curtain raiser the week before, he put in a Nemanja Vidic-like performance against the Bournemouth forwards, strong and commanding, something which the United back four has lacked. The 3-1 victory was the perfect start to the new era.
The shake up is likely to continue until the transfer window closes on the 31st August. Some players will no doubt leave, with Bastian Schweinsteiger being the most high profile casualty. I wouldn't be surprised if we see one or two more signings at United depending on departures. The rumour mill suggests another defender may be on his way in, with Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus and Jose Fonte of Southampton heavily linked. Julian Draxler and Real Madrid's James Rodriguez have also been linked, but those signings seem unrealistic for now, as is the links to French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, January may be a different issue and as with all things United, speculation will continue.
Attention now turns to the newly created Friday night TV slot, whilst not ideal for the traveling Southampton fans, the game couldn't come soon enough for the expectant United support. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as we welcome Jose to his new theatre and the return of Pogba to his spiritual home. Let's now hope that Jose can reclaim the mantle of United being the "greatest football team!".
Andrew is the co-founder of Stretford End Flags, an independent fans group set up to improve the atmosphere and colour within Old Trafford. SEF provide the famous Stretford End banners. Visit stretfordendflags.com for more information - and to get involved.
Follow Stretford End Flags on Twitter: @sef_Mufc
