Let's face it: watching football isn't always the most enjoyable of pastimes.
This has regrettably been very much applicable to Manchester United supporters over recent years with the club in demise. But that has started to alter in recent times, with United fans given plenty to laud by the displays on the pitch of late.
While a feeling of discomfort returned against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, it was fuelled by nerves rather than abject dismay and a release followed once the final whistle blew.
Too often in recent times, United have squandered advantages in games where they haven't been at their best and invited opposition pressure. The story was different against West Ham, with a one-goal lead withheld and three points ground out after a staunch defensive display against opposition applying persistent pressure for large periods.
There was not to be an all too familiar inquest in the aftermath. Instead, United maintained their record as the only side in the Premier League this term to not have dropped points from a winning position.
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It was an affair at Old Trafford defined by two fast-starting sides in the early knockings. David Moyes pleaded for his side to show bravery, and they proved happy to push onto United in the opening exchanges as Said Benrahma found himself with an opportunity (which nothing ultimately came from).
United matched the front-footed intent shown by their opposition, responding to Benrahma's chance with a couple of chances of their own in the minutes subsequent.
A sweeping Casemiro pass launched the first of those aforementioned attacks - squandered in the end after a mix-up between Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo following a Diogo Dalot cross. United's threat was further exemplified as Anthony Elanga found himself in behind following a Christian Eriksen through ball soon after.
West Ham's early expressive nature proved unsustainable against a purposeful United side and did diminish as the match settled following its more frantic initial stages. United were able to nullify their opposition's early adventure, with the visitors entering a more passive mode, sitting deep and looking to launch counter attacks.
United did gain some merit from their purpose in terms of the occasional chance, working hard to pounce on and force errors while displaying a positive approach in possession. But it proved tough for them to sustain this.
Overall, creation wasn't all that consistent from United, with recurring issues in terms of languishing execution and poor decision-making in the final third. West Ham played their part from a defensive standpoint, growing in efficiency throughout proceedings in terms of preventing United from establishing rhythm and building higher quality attacks.
Forced rotation led to more breakdowns in possession and less security with the ball on the whole from United, contributing to the wavering rhythm.
Harry Maguire made a possibly premature return to the side due to Victor Lindelof being unwell, and a lack of sharpness was sometimes apparent as, despite his known technical prowess, he slowed play down when in possession. This largely reflected the flow which established in the match.
Another change came in the attacking department as Elanga replaced Antony, who had sustained a minor knock. Cristiano Ronaldo maintained his spot from the win over FC Sheriff, though it is possible that he may have been the beneficiary of Antony's absence given Jadon Sancho's wilting form is necessitating the use of other wide players.
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Amid their struggles in terms of breaking down a stern West Ham defence, it was a moment of brilliance that saw United take the lead in the 38th minute.
Eriksen delivered a pinpoint cross, which epitomised the quality he adds to this United side following, a one-two with Bruno Fernandes. Rashford was the oncoming player, showing expert movement as he made a late run into the penalty box and leaped above Thilo Kehrer to score his second header in as many matches and secure a century of goals for United.
It was yet another goal that embodied Rashford's returning intent as he burst into the penalty area and showed commitment to rise above Kehrer. The smile that wasn't present too often last season was back as Rashford wheeled off to celebrate his 100th goal for the club - a landmark achieved on the eve of his 25th birthday.
After the match, speaking to Sky Sports, he made the admission that he feels "really motivated now", which was an area he "was struggling in" last term.
"I was struggling at times with more mental things," Rashford added. "It wasn't really my own performance but other things off the pitch. That's the biggest difference from last season."
He certainly looks refreshed at present. Scoring headers in consecutive matches - something not always present in his skillset - is credit to his renewed will to develop further and elevate his game beyond a level that it has ever reached before. Simultaneously, it reflects well on Ten Hag and his ability to co-operate with his players and work on their games.
Last term, there were many accusations of United relying on individual brilliance to bail them out of challenging situations. Against West Ham this time around, however, it was brilliance from the collective and not a one-off piece of attacking expertise, again testament to improvements made under Ten Hag.
United have exhibited a knack to produce such structured, goal-worthy attacks on a frequent basis this season. This was no freak outlier, instead proof that quality displayed in matches where greater authority is possessed can even be reduplicated in games scrappier in nature.
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Unlike against Sheriff three days prior, taking the lead against West Ham wasn't a catalyst for United to gain further avail. Instead, they found themselves under much greater pressure throughout the second half as West Ham fought to level affairs.
United couldn't establish any sort of sustained foothold after the break, evidenced by level-pegging in possession stats and fairly parallel passing tallies in the second half. With United slack in possession and lacking distinguishable quality, West Ham found themselves threatening the hosts.
Not even Ten Hag's problem solving in the form of the introduction of Scott McTominay in place of Elanga could help United to achieve greater control, indicating the possible extent of pre-World Cup fixture congestion as a factor contributing to a drop-off in quality.
United's struggles in terms of establishing a consistently clinical edge in front of goal were only accentuated in the second half, epitomised by Ronaldo missing two chances in the box before an impatient effort from range was blocked - all inside a five-minute period after McTominay's introduction.
West Ham, meanwhile, despite their own European exploits through the Europa Conference League, had more in reserve and were sharper having been content to sit deeper and defend in the first half. United were significantly stretched to a growing expanse as the latter stages of the match were reached.
It was another test for Ten Hag's side improving resolve. How would they deal with being on the back foot defending a single-goal lead?
Michail Antonio's introduction didn't make things any easier, but United's defence marshalled his threat in the same way that they had annulled the danger posed by the withdrawn Gianluca Scamacca.
West Ham exceeded United's second half shots tally of seven with 10 attempts of their own, managing five shots on target compared to United's second half blank and three overall.
Yet United defended in a coherent manner not always apparent under previous regimes, working as a collective to withstand the opposing surge. "Our philosophy is we defend with 11 men," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. And that was very much apparent.
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Every individual played their part in United holding onto their advantage, with the late addition of Fred for Eriksen indicating that the primary intentions were to remain resistant under duress.
West Ham attempted 22 crosses and won eight corners in the second half, but United stood firm against this threat in a way that may not have been expected in times prior.
Dalot displayed defensive additions he has made to his game to become a more complete right-back, making four crucial interventions with back post headed clearances; his positional awareness has improved considerably - placing him ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka in that such defensive regard.
On the other side, Luke Shaw showed similar security defensively which is contributing to him being an ideal, well-rounded full-back for Ten Hag to rely on, offering suitable balance with Dalot.
Lisandro Martinez was another to prove their value on Sunday, standout again with a display of commitment to make crucial interventions. He took a boot to the head from Scamacca after attempting a brave block, not shirking the duty of engaging with the physical presence of Antonio after his introduction.
In stark contrast to their last start together against Brentford, Martinez and Maguire formed a much more reliable duo in Raphael Varane's absence.
In the second half, the match felt somewhat tailor-made for Maguire to excel. But still, he was dependable in an essence that he often hasn't felt across his recent poor patch, making numerous challenges and a vital block to deny Jarred Bowen. There was lots of pressure on the returning club captain given excessive criticism dealt to him, and he showed assurance to put in a display that should quell some of the negative talk.
David De Gea definitely played his part too. Also more proactive amid reports that United are in search of a more 'modern' goalkeeper to move forward with, De Gea made saves invaluable in terms of United maintaining their lead, including an improbable denial when the ball seemed almost behind him and a last-minute acrobatic save against Declan Rice.
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After United's win over Sheriff, Pep Guardiola went on record saying: "I have a feeling that United is coming. Finally, United is coming. I like what I see from United just now."
The West Ham match showed that United aren't quite coming yet, and consistent all-round performances have to be the standard - as Ten Hag exclaimed after beating Tottenham Hotspur.
"I think it's a little bit too quick - you see the second half," Ten Hag said in reaction to Guardiola's claims. "But the spirit we have is fabulous and we have the quality to score goals. If we keep going, we'll be in the right direction."
Ten Hag is right. United are heading in the right direction. While the performance was unsatisfactory against West Ham, it was positive in that they won even without being at their best. That is a hallmark of all the best teams.
United now have only conceded from open play once in their last seven matches - only twice overall when Jorginho's penalty for Chelsea is factored in. That sort of defensive record in addition to attacking quality is essential if United are to become an unassailable force once again.
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