Manchester United's end-of-season lap around the Old Trafford pitch following their 2-1 victory over Fulham to close out their Premier League season felt meaningful.
Only a year ago, it felt more like they embarked on a lap of shame. Hostility was rife. Yet, at the conclusion of their final league match in Erik ten Hag's maiden season in charge, the lap around the pitch felt celebratory.
There remains work to do, first against Manchester City in this weekend's FA Cup final, in order to reach heights similar to their illustrious past. Ten Hag has been keen to implore that his side do not rest and become comfortable with their present situation. But the trajectory is positive, exemplified as good as anything else by the altered culture this term.
There was a time last season where 'clique' was a buzzword. However, those times now feel well and truly a thing of the past. Ten Hag has reinstated unity within the club - a togetherness between fans, the staff and those on the pitch.
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The feeling around the club - at least on the playing side - is far more positive. The atmosphere in Old Trafford is one of unequivocal support for Ten Hag and his players, with ovations throughout the season emphasising a much developed affinity to the squad; there were times only last term that fans were calling for the squad to be entirely overhauled.
Against Fulham, there was an apt opportunity for some of United's key players to be serenaded by the Old Trafford faithful given Ten Hag was keen to preserve some players ahead of the FA Cup final. Standout performers Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were all taken off at separate times, and each received rousing, standing ovations.
It speaks volumes to collective progress under Ten Hag that the aforementioned trio, among others, have all warranted such status as possible player of the season contenders, rather than one standalone candidate.
And collectivity has been a part of this. The tight-knit nature of Ten Hag's squad, which displays the atmosphere he has created internally, has translated to more cohesive performances. There is a clear support from player to player, and a drive to succeed for one another rather than solely for personal satisfaction.
Effort levels were criticised significantly across the 2021/22 season, yet there is now a commitment from the players to persist even through hardships, and bounce back whenever they do suffer adversity - which has to be eradicated from their systems in due course.
The restored connection with the crowd was shown in stark fashion post-Fulham as Ten Hag gave an uplifting speech to the Old Trafford crowd. Once he labelled the importance of the upcoming FA Cup final, the stadium descended into raptures. Ten Hag understands what it means to be involved with Manchester United, and that has translated to his players.
The players stood around their manager, sharing jokes with one another before embarking on their lap of honour with their families. It all felt much more joyous, and a moment shared by a united group of footballers.
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The camaraderie within the squad was apparent against Fulham, when United had to overcome a two-goal deficit after a slack start with Champions League football - a major objective - already secured. A near-post header from Kenny Tete from a corner was a far too simplistic way for Fulham to take the lead.
It threatened to get worse, too. Casemiro tripped Tom Cairney inside the penalty area, but David de Gea stepped up for his first Old Trafford penalty save since October 2014. He was pumped, and the crowd responded. In hindsight, this was a big turning point.
The players pulled together and came close after some slick exchanges which emphasised the greater extent to which the players are on the same wavelength.
Wingers Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho shone as live-wires, and interestingly the pair have been beneficiaries of the renewed togetherness within the squad - now very much a team as opposed to collection of individuals.
Sancho was sidelined for three months due to struggles both physically and mentally, yet it was evident that his teammates had his back from the moment he returned to the pitch. The story with Garnacho appears to have been one of tougher love after reported disciplinary issues, but leaders within the squad have emerged to guide the young Argentine through his early, learning stages as a senior footballer.
It was Sancho that equalised for United, somewhat fortuitously, but nonetheless deserved, as he anticipated Tete's miscued tackle to place the ball into a nigh on empty goal. Whenever Sancho has scored this season, there has been genuine delight on his teammates' faces.
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Nothing exemplified the bonds within the squad more than the celebrations after United's go-ahead goal. Casemiro and Fernandes celebrated the latter's goal with a chest bump akin to the iconic Bryan Brothers in tennis.
Fernandes' finish was deft after a run timed perfectly - deserving of plaudits. But the goalscorer was more keen to laud Fred, who provided for him with the assist with an incisive pass, by pointing to him and pushing the Brazilian towards the Stretford End so he would get the majority of the credit.
It was an act of supreme selflessness.
It is just more reason for the Old Trafford crowd to get behind the team that there are characters like that, and this boost in support has no doubt contributed to their outstanding home form this season.
It was fitting that they ended their home campaign with a victory to secure third-place. It confirmed a positive 17-point swing from the season prior, with 13 more points accumulated at Old Trafford compared to last term. Picking up 48 points at Old Trafford this season, United finished second only to City in terms of home form - four points behind their Manchester rivals.
Across all competitions, United only lost twice at home - both inside the first four games - against Brighton and in contentious fashion against Real Sociedad. Since, they have embarked on a 29-game unbeaten run, with 27 wins at Old Trafford across the season levelling the club's best single-campaign tally of home victories.
In the league alone, they have beaten all of the rest of the traditional 'big six', losing only the Brighton in the opening game, then drawing against Newcastle United, Leeds United and Southampton.
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The blueprints are set. United's home form has shown their capabilities, and repeating this away from home could well see them elevated to a position of being close to challenging for league titles again.
It is certain that Ten Hag has brought back a feeling of collectivity within the squad, and this level of unity is extending to forging a connection with the fans.
There was a stage where divisions even within the squad were having to be contended with under the previous regime, but with that eradicated, there has grown a platform from which United can build back up under Ten Hag.
There is a good feeling surrounding the club again.
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