Pre-season hope has a notoriously short shelf life — and for supporters of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and Rangers, the new campaign has already delivered a cold dose of reality.

Manchester United humbled on the road

A third-placed finish under manager Michael Carrick had given Manchester United fans genuine reason for cautious optimism heading into the new season. New midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos added to the sense that Carrick's squad had real depth for the first time in years.

Then came Hull City — a club promoted via the play-offs — and a 2-0 defeat that quickly silenced the excitement. United, 13-time Premier League champions, were outplayed by the promoted side from the first whistle.

"As a Man United fan for 38 years, if the last 15 years have taught me anything it is not to be optimistic," fan Alec told BBC Sport. "I laughed when I read how strong people thought our squad depth was. It's as deep as a toddler's swimming pool. Another long season ahead."

The misery extended beyond the final whistle: the 2,400 travelling supporters learned that two trains back to Manchester had been cancelled, prompting Hull's home fans to chant "You should have come in a taxi" at the away end.

Spurs' big spending fails to impress Brentford

Back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League had left Tottenham Hotspur desperate for a fresh start. Manager Roberto De Zerbi oversaw a summer of significant investment — centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, and left-back Andy Robertson among the arrivals — with total spending reaching £237 million.

Yet neighbours Brentford, far less fancied, tore Spurs apart 3-0 on the opening weekend, despite four of those expensive new signings — including the £100 million Tonali — starting the match.

"Spurs have been through so many false dawns in the Premier League era that the only difference this time was the ludicrous amounts of money they've spent in the summer transfer window," supporter Mark said.

West Ham struggle in the Championship

West Ham United dropped out of the Premier League last season after 14 years in the top flight, and their supporters were expecting an immediate return under Nuno Espirito Santo. The club broke the Championship transfer record to sign Arne Engels, while Manor Solomon, Joel Piroe, and Divine Mukasa also arrived.

Two games in, that promotion confidence has evaporated. Nuno's side threw away a two-goal lead at Burnley before losing 2-1 at home to Charlton, leaving them with a single point from their opening fixtures.

"Will someone put Nuno out of his misery," fan Les said. "He got the tactics wrong last season and is doing the same thing again."

Rangers already under pressure at Ibrox

In Scotland, Rangers arrived at the new season with 11 summer signings and a new manager in Derek McInnes, who brought Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland with him to Ibrox. The ambition was clear — but the results have not followed.

Rangers were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League qualifiers by Jagiellonia Bialystok, were booed by their own fans, and sit on just one point after matches against Dundee United and Hibernian. Questions over McInnes' future have already surfaced, with August not yet over.

"I have been watching Rangers for over 60 years and this is the worst team I have ever seen," said supporter Graeme — a sentiment that underlines just how quickly the promise of a new season can unravel.