United View: Recent Performances Lay Grounds For Optimism

“Togetherness.” That was the response of Marcus Rashford when asked what United could take away from their 3-1 win against Arsenal.

It was a huge result for Erik Ten Hag and Manchester United, stretching their winning run to four games whilst finding themselves three points off the top spot. Things looked bleak after the defeat to Brentford, but the turnaround has been remarkable.

Prior to the Arsenal clash, United travelled to Leicester, winning 1-0 thanks to a cool finish from Jadon Sancho. United held firm after a slow second half. The defence was once again the strong point and even though the performance wasn’t outstanding, United did enough. It was another boost in morale and that momentum was carried into their biggest test of the season against league leaders Arsenal.

Against Leicester, United didn’t create a huge number of clear-cut chances, which is likely why new signing Antony went straight into the starting eleven. Another bold call from Ten Hag but once again he was vindicated in his decision after the Brazilian opened the scoring following a gorgeous passing move. His celebration was pure ecstasy, an explosion of emotion that fans won’t be forgetting any time soon. 

Even after an equaliser from Bukayo Saka, United stayed firm and didn’t blink. An outrageous pass from Bruno Fernandes unleashed Marcus Rashford who was simply too quick to be caught, slotting the ball away and restoring the lead for the home side.

Arsenal played very well, but they panicked following United’s second. Arteta made plenty of changes, resorting to a back three as it looked like he was going to throw everything at United. However, the tweak in tactics favoured the home side and before long Rashford picked up his second goal after a breakaway from Christian Eriksen.

The Dane was man of the match and deservedly so, pulling more strings than Geppetto (Pinocchio’s dad) in the midfield, orchestrating the first two goals with his quick passing and picking up an assist for the third. His story is inspirational and I’m so glad to see him playing his football in a United shirt.

It is still very much the early stages of the process for Ten Hag’s Manchester United and in his post-match comments the manager tried to subdue any overreaction to the victory, reiterating that there is plenty of room for improvement. The season has only just begun so I can understand why he wants to remain grounded, however he and the team deserve full credit for their improved performances.

The thing that has impressed me most about Ten Hag is the authority displayed and willingness to make big calls. He dropped Maguire, Shaw, and Ronaldo, started Antony in a massive game despite only just arriving in Manchester and has kept faith in a winning side, leaving big names like Casemiro on the bench. It also seems the players are all pulling in the same direction and positivity is starting to be resorted in the camp.

Fans are yet to see the full potential of an Erik Ten Hag side as usually they look to dominate possession and pin an opponent into their own half. Whilst there have been glimpses of this, United have been more than happy to allow the opposition to have the ball. With time and practise the style of football the manager wants to play will emerge, but for now he has shown he is a great coach with the ability to adapt.