Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left delighted with their 5-1 thumping of Leeds United.
Bruno Fernandes struck a hat-trick on the day.
Solskjaer said: "It creates and sets the mood when you see the fans driving to the stadium. You get the butterflies again. Suddenly it's a game that matters. We felt extra responsibility because it's been so long without them. They mean so much to us. To have that love from the fans is so important.
"I couldn't have asked for more. You're always a bit worried before the first game - fitness-wise have we done enough? Tactics-wise? The sessions have been geared just to this game. It's been a fantastic day."
On his squad, he said: "I'm very happy with the status at the moment. We waited for Raphael [Varane] to get everything sorted. That meant a lot to the fans, and Jadon [Sancho] will get better and better. We've got a few more coming back, so good times."
And on Fernandes and Paul Pogba, Solskjaer concluded: "Of course when Bruno scores three and Paul gets four assists, the headlines are going to be about them two. But for me it's about the team. Those two can produce the big moments because of what's around them. Mason [Greenwood]'s development has been great. He's become a man compared to two years ago."