Michael Carrick called Sunday's draw at Leeds a 'fresh start'. Gary Neville described it as a 'stepping stone'. Most unattached observers came to another conclusion entirely.
That is Manchester United in this moment. A confusing mix of juxtapositions. A club obsessed with taking one step forward and two steps back. Only ever one result away from complete disaster.
Carrick's position remains precariously poised given United have only won two of 10 games in all competitions so far this season. To speak of fresh starts as early as October surely evokes more worry than it arrests. The sentiment is understandable. But why is it necessary?
The sense of calm that Carrick has overseen at Old Trafford since succeeding Ruben Amorim's melodrama in January is close to shattering, despite what he perceived to be improvement at Elland Road. And that is the point, isn't it? That a 1-1 draw at Leeds is actually presented as success.
That another lead blown is an acceptable balance of probability in Carrick's favour because United did not completely buckle after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's equaliser. In truth, United only competed in fits and starts. Another performance made up of individual parts.
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The momentum chart below shows two periods of the game where the visitors exerted control, once in the first half, when Bryan Mbeumo scored, and for 15 minutes in the second half. Daniel Farke believed his side were the only team to show any inclination towards winning the game.
Of course the source must be considered, but most would politely agree with the German's reading. The stats corroborate Farke's version of events. Leeds had 61 per cent of the ball, a greater xG value, more touches in the opposition box, ran further, sprinted faster and finished with 73 final-third entries to United's 59.
Carrick's side, playing without a recognised striker to match Leeds' structure, struggled for sustained rhythm despite taking the lead, with Diogo Dalot as their main source of chance creation. Not Bruno Fernandes. Not Bryan Mbeumo or Amad. Dalot. How can that be possible?
The fact Carrick felt the need to change his formation to mirror Leeds is really the ultimate clincher. An admittance that United in their preferred arrangement would have been too easy to play through, having not managed to keep a clean sheet in the league all season. This is a low ebb.
And so we reach another week on trial. Under examination will be a trip to Como in the Champions League before a home meeting with Bournemouth, live on Sky Sports on Sunday. Neither appear particularly favourable.
Sunday 25th October 12:30pm Kick off 2:00pm
But what fixture does, when you have amassed your fewest victories at this stage of a top-flight campaign for 40 years? Carrick can only work with what he has available. And what he has available is an unbalanced squad low on confidence.
There is no escaping the form of those who were previously Carrick's most relied upon. Fernandes as captain has been largely anonymous. Harry Maguire has lacked leadership. And the outspoken Lisandro Martinez has done little but prove himself to be an outlaw of epic proportions.
"I am encouraged by a lot of things. I think we can still have a really good season," concluded Carrick on Sunday. But what has come to define a 'good season' at Manchester United has changed beyond recognition. What does that statement even mean?
A rolling one-point-per-game average is relegation form.
As a result, Carrick's credit is surely beginning to run low. He faces another defining week in the dugout. He has to get it right. Or United's season risks being over before its properly begun.