From reigning champions Liverpool's point of view, things couldn't have gone too much better until they contested the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Despite going behind twice in the game, the Eagles equalised on each occasion and then were the more clinical in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.
As with many of the previous pre-season games, Jeremie Frimpong provided a willing outlet on the right-hand side, with Milos Kerkez mirroring him on the left. However, in both the AC Milan game - which Liverpool lost 4-2 - and the Community Shield, the Reds were consistently exposed down the channels.
Arne Slot will have been delighted by Hugo Ekitike's contribution in Sunday's curtain raiser, and more generally Liverpool's interplay was often excellent, as it was in their wins over Preston (3-1), Yokohama F. Marinos (3-1), and Athletic Club (4-1 and 3-2), albeit there are clearly things still to work on.
Manchester United unbeaten in six pre-season games
Although Man Utd embarrassingly lost 1-0 to ASEAN All-Stars just after last season ended, Ruben Amorim seems to have finally drilled into his squad what's required to make a success of his system.
Wins over Hong Kong (3-1), West Ham (2-1) and Bournemouth (4-1) and draws against Leeds (0-0), Everton (2-2) and Fiorentina (1-1) meant the Red Devils then went unbeaten after their initial reverse.
With Benjamin Sesko having been added to the squad, joining Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha as new signings, United's attack will have a very different look and feel to it next season.
A little more solidity in defence has been evident, even if the squad has only been able to keep a solitary clean sheet across all their games.
In that Leeds game, Amorim's side could scarcely have done more themselves to avoid the goalless draw, having 19 attempts at goal and a whopping 37 touches in the Leeds box compared to just six from their opponents.
The toughest of Premier League openers awaits of course, as Arsenal travel to Old Trafford for the first Super Sunday game of 25/26.
Gyokeres on target for the Gunners
Mikel Arteta has overseen a great transfer window for the Gunners, acquiring Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard as well as a decent backup keeper in Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Swedish international bagged his first goal for his new team against Athletic Club, with a powerful header home from Zubimendi's first-time cross. Much of that 3-0 win was vintage Arsenal as they passed their opponents off the park with the majority of possession, and it could be the shape of things to come.
The victory followed triumphs over AC Milan (1-0) and Newcastle (3-2), but also included losses against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur (0-1) and LaLiga outfit Villarreal (2-3).
Isak transfer speculation harming Newcastle
Newcastle, who have been rocked by the news that star man Alexander Isak would like to explore his options in terms of a transfer, should've been looking forward to another season which will include Champions League football.
However, aside from Isak training on his own, the Magpies were hammered 4-0 by Celtic and then lost 1-0 to a K League XI, and with their only win coming in the 4-0 victory over Carlisle right at the start of pre-season, Eddie Howe clearly has problems.
He's missed out on a number of his transfer targets too, and to date has only managed to secure Anthony Elanga permanently and Aaron Ramsdale on a loan deal.
The other defeats against Arsenal (2-3) and Atletico Madrid (0-2) have only contributed to more angst, which wasn't lifted by their performances in the two draws over Tottenham (1-1) and Espanyol (2-2).
Impressive Chelsea
Having won the Club World Cup in very impressive fashion indeed, Enzo Maresca's Chelsea continued where they left off with two wins from two against Bayer Leverkusen (2-0) and AC Milan (4-1).
Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Estevao Willian, Dario Assugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez have all been added to the squad too, and if Maresca can harness their collective excellence, the Blues are likely to take some stopping next season.
Man City hoping to bounce back
Man City's participation in the CWC also saw them take it easy thereafter, with just the one fixture, which was won 3-0 against Palermo.
Pep Guardiola won't have liked being dumped out of the competition by anyone, least of all a Saudi Pro League side in Al Hilal, and it will be interesting to see if there's still a hangover in terms of form from last season.
The club certainly wasted no time in adding Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli to their ranks, in the hope that a seventh Premier League title in the last nine years is forthcoming.
Maddison injury shatters Spurs
Thomas Frank can be extremely happy with his Tottenham squad, who've only succumbed to Bayern Munich (0-4) this summer. The Dane has overseen two wins and three draws, with the UEFA Super Cup against PSG to come on Wednesday.
The only sour note of Spurs' pre-season is an injury to James Maddison that's likely to keep the creative talent out of the side until the latter part of the season at the earliest.
Son Heung-min's departure sees an end to 10 glorious years at the club, whilst Joao Palhinha has joined from Bayern Munich along with the brilliant Mo Kudus from West Ham.
The Hammers have had a reasonable enough pre-season themselves on the pitch without being brilliant, though Graham Potter should be relatively ok with four wins - Grasshopper Zurich (3-1), Everton (2-1) and Bournemouth (2-0) as well as one on penalties vs Lille after a 1-1 draw - and one defeat, to Man Utd.
Brighton, Brentford, Leeds and Fulham all unbeaten
El Hadji Malick Diouf should give them some steel down their left side, and the former Slavia Prague man has also been joined by goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, right-back Kyle Walker-Peters and veteran striker Callum Wilson.
With regard to some of the other Premier League teams, Brighton remained unbeaten with three wins and a draw, as did Brentford with two draws and a win. Leeds should be added to the list with three draws from three, whilst Fulham's two wins from two will give them encouragement.
