Three of United's old boys - Danny Granville, Luke Guttridge and former loanee Jamie Guy - were in the Colchester side on Tuesday night and we caught up with two of them after the game.
It would be fair to say that Guy and Guttridge received differing receptions from the home fans; Guy remembered as the bustling young striker who brightened up the closing weeks of 2005/06, and Guttridge the youth team graduate known for his tigerish performances, a debut goal, and good range of passing, but who departed under a cloud in 2005 after missing most of our relegation season through illness.
Jamie Guy admitted he was delighted with the warm reception he received from the fans and returned the compliment at the final whistle.
"It really was appreciated," he said.
"As for the game, Cambridge were really well organised across the middle and in defence so I didn't get too much of a look in. When I did get the ball I was closed down well so the options were limited to laying the ball off, and credit to Cambridge's defence for that.
"Cambridge are playing really good football and spraying the ball around, and especially in the first half we didn't touch the ball much to be honest.
"From what I've seen today, the side looks very strong and if that level of form can be maintained they should be challenging near the top of the league this season."
Luke Guttridge revealed he had expected a few boos on his return, but added, "I can't say I expected it to have lasted the whole game. I suppose that a lot of people weren't happy with how my time at Cambridge ended, but not least myself.
"I wasn't playing and when I was picked I was played left wing so I wasn't being utilised in the best way to help.
"When it happened, I was as disappointed as anyone to see Cambridge go down. I had some fantastic times at the club but if the fans just want to remember how my time here ended and boo me, then it's their choice. They're entitled to do that."
Looking back in the game, in which he played for the last half hour, Luke commented, "It was hard to get into it. Cambridge dominated early on and with the five man midfield they make it very difficult for the opposition to get passing and movement working, and when they have the ball they can produce attacking options for their forwards within seconds."
Like Guy, he thinks that United will do well this season: "From what I've seen, they have got the players who can perform at this level and higher. It'll be a tough league - Oxford, York, Exeter and Torquay will all be strong - but I think that Cambridge have enough strength in depth to match them.
"And from what I hear financially they are in a better shape than they have been for years, so hopefully this season will be the one. I hope so because whether they boo me or not the Cambridge fans deserve some success."
Interviews by David Gray
[Match report] [Fixture list]
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