There are omens for those at Manchester United who go looking for them. The last time the club failed to win any of their opening three Premier League games was 2007-08, a season when they went on to win the Premier League and Champions League. Any talk of the course of the title race being in any way dictated by events in August – even United’s chronic early form – are ridiculous.

Title talk is already a fantasy, though. Early evidence suggests that this is at least a two-year overhaul in which United might have to settle for a second season out of Europe’s elite competition. Their manager, Louis van Gaal, said after the goalless draw at Burnley on Saturday that he can be judged on his achievement only at the end of the season, not the next weeks and months, as he had initially indicated.

United may make a final attempt to do business tomorrow. But late returns for Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Juventus’s Artur Vidal have been ruled out and United appear ready to wait until January when they would move for the AS Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, who is currently injured. The £13.8m signature of Ajax’s Daley Blind is expected to be confirmed imminently.

Video: The latest transfer news

Suggestions that United are moving to bring in Rene Meulensteen, Van Gaal’s compatriot and former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson, are wide of the mark. The club’s deadline day will also be dominated by efforts to shed players after Shinji Kagawa’s £8m sale to Borussia Dortmund today. United have come closer to selling Javier Hernandez, with Juventus and Valencia in contention, but the Aston Villa manager, Paul Lambert, is understood to be concerned by the wage Tom Cleverley would command if he were to join the club. Villa hope to resolve that issue as they are keen on the player and have approached him.

Danny Welbeck may leave for Tottenham Hotspur on loan, though he is less likely to leave than Cleverley or Hernandez. United are likely to be unwilling to let both him and Hernandez go.

Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Show all 124 1 /124 Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates his match-winning goal with his team-mates. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 John Stones scored his first Everton goal as Manchester United were swept aside. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 James McCarthy puts the Toffees into an early lead. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Nacho Monreal celebrates scoring the opening goal with Arsenal's English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Wayne Rooney equalises for Manchester United Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Wayne Rooney celebrates after making it 1-1 GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Danny Welbeck celebrates after making it 2-1 GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Angel Di Maria is shown a red card late in the FA Cup quarter-final tie GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Johnny Evans and Papiss Cisse come together GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 De Gea makes a save Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Ashley Young scores the winner for Manchester United against Newcastle GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Ashley Young celebrates the winner for Manchester United against Newcastle GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wayne Rooney scored again with a header - he hadn't scored in his previous eight Premier League matches. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wayne Rooney converts the penalty to put United in the lead. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wes Brown is sent-off to the protestations of the Sunderland players. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 John O'Shea fouls Radamel Falcao to give away a penalty - but Roger East believed Wes Brown had fouled him. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 British record signing Angel Di Maria was so bad he was substituted at half-time. Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney wins a penalty after going down under the challenge of Thorsten Stuckmann Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney goes down after being challenged by goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Marouane Fellaini put the visitors back into the lead with a stabbed effort from inside the box EPA Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Marouane Fellaini scores to put Manchester United 2-1 up Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Utd's Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera scored the equaliser AP Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Scott Laird fired Preston into the lead with a deflected effort off David de Gea EPA Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 United manager Louis van Gaal leaves the field - despite the win he was not impressed with the performance GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 Chris Smalling heads in his second goal of the game GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 Smalling opens the scoring GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Cheikhou Kouyate scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Cheikhou Kouyate celebrates the opening goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Wayne Rooney during Manchester United's draw with West Ham GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Robin van Persie fails to score GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Daley Blind celebrates his late equaliser GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 James Wilson scored United's second to seal the win Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini celebrates with his Manchester United team-mates Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini scores to put United ahead Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Rob Green keeps out an effort by Radamel Falcao Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Juan Mata challenges for the ball with Fraser Forster during the Premier League match at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett can't reach the shot from Southampton's Serbian midfielder Dusan Tadic GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Dusan Tadic celebrates the only goal at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Ryan Shawcross puts Stoke ahead Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 A close up of Van Gaal's notes during the match appeared to show the words 'stupid free-kick' GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao equalises for Manchester United GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Falcao celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Neither Manchester United or Tottenham could break the deadlock GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Hugo Lloris was in inspired form, denying a host of chances for Manchester United in the first half GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Spurs threatened to steal all three points late in the game but it ended goalless at White Hart Lane GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Papiss Cisse scores a consolation for Newcastle form the penalty spot Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Robin van Persie scores the third for Manchester United with a perfectly-guided header Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Wayne Rooney scores his and United's second of the game Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Rooney celebrates with striker-partner Radamel Falcao after the pair combine to put United ahead Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Wayne Rooney opens the scoring after turning in a Radamel Falcao cross Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Manchester United players embrace striker Radamel Falcao after his goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring the equaliser against Aston Villa Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Christian Benteke celebrates scoring the opening goal against Manchester United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Christian Benteke scores a beautiful curling effort to put Aston Villa ahead Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Robin van Persie put Manchester United ahead after capitalising on Jose Fonte's poor back pass GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Pelle drew Saints level before the end of the first half GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Van Persie celebrates his second goal of the match that turned out to be the winner GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo celebrate United's second GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Steven Nzonzi fires in the equaliser GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Marouane Fellaini scores United's first goal of the game GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Chris Smalling scores United's opener after a goalmouth scramble Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Maroune Fellaini controls the ball as Curtis Davies looks on Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Juan Mata attempts to close down Ahmed Elmohamady as he passes Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 The United players congratulate Robin van Persie after he scores a much-needed goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Wayne Rooney scored again, netting United's second Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Ashley Young stretches to control a high ball Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Michael Carrick started a game for the first time this season, in centre-midfield Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Robin van Persie again went scoreless - he has just three goals in 10 matches Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Angel Di Maria is crowded out by Yannick Bolasie and Adrian Mariappa Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Marouane Fellaini tries to win a header from a corner Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Substitute Juan Mata fires in a 25-yard strike, that took a deflection, to score the only goal of the game Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Mata and United players celebrate the goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Chris Smalling picks up a booking for blocking Joe Hart Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Later in the first half, Smalling was shown another and then sent off Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Kompany tackles Di Maria Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Sergio Aguero celebrates the only goal of the game Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Robin van Persie celebrates his late goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Robin van Persie scores the equalising goal in the final minute GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Referee Phil Dowd shows a red card to Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba heads in to give Chelsea the lead GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Thibaut Courtois saves an effort from Robin van Persie GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba shields the ball under pressure from United players GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 The players make their way out onto the pitch at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 David De Gea could do nothing to stop Stephane Sessegnon's opener GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Sessegnon celebrates his early goal GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini celebrates bringing the scores level after his introduction at the break GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Berahino (right) put West Brom back in front. Picture left is Marcos Rojo, who was terrible throughout GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Daley Blind rescued a late point for Manchester United with a sweet finish GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring the winner Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Steven Naismith equalises for Everton Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Leighton Baines has his penalty saved Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Angel Di Maria celebrates opening the scoring Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney is shown a red card by Lee Mason Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney kicks out at Stewart Downing Twitter Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Diafra Sakho scores for West Ham as his header loops over Robin van Persie Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Radamel Falcao has an effort on goal Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Robin van Persie and Luke Shaw go for the double-high-five after the striker scores for United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Robin van Persie doubles United's lead against the Hammers Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney opens the scoring for United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 The remarkable comeback was complete after Leonardo Ulloa tucked in a penalty to make it 5-3. After Tyler Blackett had fouled Jamie Vardy in the box, getting sent off for his troubles, United's afternoon went from bad to worse. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Livewire striker Jamie Vardy, who only broke into the Stocksbridge first team at the age of 21, put Leicester ahead late on. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Despite Ander Herrera restoring United's three goal lead, Leicester just would not lie down. Following David Nugent's penalty, Esteban Cambiasso blasted City level. GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Leonardo Ulloa, a sensation since joining the Foxes, got his side back in the clash almost straight away. Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Angel di Maria, following Robin van Persie's opener, appeared to have put the game beyond Leicester. Stunning, outrageous chip over Kasper Schmeichel. Getty Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Radamel Falcao makes his United debut GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Juan Mata completes the rout at Old Trafford GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Wayne Rooney celebrates the third GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Daley Blind and Sandro in action Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Angel Di Maria celebrates his first goal for United against QPR GETTY IMAGES Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Juan Mata is crowded out by Burnley defenders - indicative of the home side's effort and work rate for the full 90 minutes Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Angel Di Maria made his United debut but couldn't influence the side and eventually limped off with an injury after 70 minutes Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Manchester United players react after referee Chris Foy waved away what looked like a handball that would have been a penalty Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson looks on in anguish at Turf Moor as United failed to win again Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Sean Dyche's team picked up their first point of the season with an excellent performance Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Louis van Gaal is still winless as Manchester United manager after three matches in charge of the club Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Louis van Gaal was not too disheartened at the full-time whistle, but he will know how much work lies ahead following his first defeat as United manager Getty IMages Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 The two goalscorers Ki and Sigurdsson were left to celebrate at the end after inflicting United's first opening day defeat since 1972 Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Gylfi Sigurdsson stunned Old Trafford for a second time in the same afternoon as he restored Swansea's lead following a goal-mouth scramble Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Gylfi Sigurdsson fires home the winner to secure Swansea a 2-1 win over Manchester United Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Wayne Rooney managed to drag United level after he took advantage of a loose ball to smash home a close-range bicycle kick Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Wayne Rooney acrobatically scores a bicycle kick to level the scores Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Ki-Sung-Yeung celebrates after making it 1-0 to the visitors Swansea Getty Images Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Tyler Blackett was handed a shock call-up by Louis van Gaal to start United's opening match against Swansea. 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United’s record new signing Angel Di Maria’s physicality at Turf Moor was the most surprising aspect of a contribution in which he was their best player. “He didn’t hide or shirk his responsibilities. He coped physically,” observed his team-mate Darren Fletcher. “Once he learns the language he will be ok. But he’s a tough Argentinian lad; he has shown that already.”

Yet there was pitifully little around him to excite United fans. Robin van Persie’s lack of fitness can no longer be ascribed to his duties at the World Cup because the third place play-off against Brazil was 51 days ago.

The manager seemed a little baffled by being able to use him for 73 minutes. “When you play a player for 60 minutes in his first game and 70 minutes in his second game you build up as a coach,” he said. “That’s also disappointing but it’s the case that you have to build up players in the season. We have to do that or he is never fit.”

It was an encouraging afternoon for Burnley, who possessed a resolute defence, a forceful attacking threat in Scott Arfield and David Jones – they are poised to also sign striker George Boyd from Hull for £3m tomorrow –and deserved their point.

Video: 'I have given everybody a fair chance' - Louis Van Gaal

Jones, sold by United seven years ago, foretold what they will face every week. “If you look at the previous games they have been edgy and we wanted to take advantage of that,” he said. “No player, at the best of times, wants another player in their face, working hard to stop them playing. It showed early on that they were under pressure.”

Fletcher insisted Van Gaal’s philosophy of playing less intuitively and more “with the brain” was not new. “You get the heart and the desire and sometimes you need to think about [the brain] more,” he said. “But we have always had that. Sir Alex Ferguson used to tell us to use our brain and would use [Paul] Scholesy as an example. So it’s not something we are averse to.”