It feels like a long time since there was a Manchester United team that supporters were particularly fond of and felt a genuine connection to. But there is a sense that this is starting to change, even with the club's 'new era' under Erik ten Hag really only just commencing.
As United took on Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, there was a clear sense around Old Trafford that the relationship between fans and the squad is starting to be rebuilt. It sounds cliché, but there is a definite sense that the players are presently 'playing for the badge' where it previously didn't seem as though that was the case. And, of course, when the players seem to care more, fans are bound to feel more connected with their side's players.
Within the squad, there certainly appears to be a greater sense of camaraderie as opposed to the divide that was suggested last season. Those on the pitch seem to be fighting for each other, blatantly rooting for each of their team-mates. Even when they are facing a challenge, for instance when on the back foot in matches, they are starting to pull together to find ways to successfully navigate such situations.
It has been particularly refreshing to see embraces between players not just after goals, but also after tackles, blocks and other actions of such like. There was one striking instant of the squad's affinity in the closing stages of Sunday's affair as players ran to ensure Tyrell Malacia was uninjured after being fouled.
From the outside, it would appear that the atmosphere inside the group has become much better after the summer reset. Ten Hag has now named the same starting side in three consecutive matches, but there have been no signs of sulking from those omitted.
Contrary to some expectations, especially given that he has now only started once across five matches so far this term, Cristiano Ronaldo seems relatively upbeat. Warming up in front of the Stretford End, he was greeted with chants of 'Viva Ronaldo', which he responded to with a grin while applauding those singing his name. When introduced early in the second half, Ronaldo showed leadership by trying to motivate his team-mates, even if there were still times that he threw his arms about in slight discontent - that needs to be cut out, but his impact was mostly positive during his time on the pitch.
The allure of this United side is also being increased by the fact that Ten Hag's entertaining brand of football has already been somewhat adopted. Stylistically, the football on display is starting to embody the club's values again, with structured build-up and fast-pace attacks coming in addition to players' commitment to defending.
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United started the weekend encounter with Arsenal in a strong manner, but Mikel Arteta's side shifted onto the front foot after having a goal disallowed early in proceedings. Although the goal didn't stand, it certainly provided United a warning having been cut open by a Bukayo Saka pass before Gabriel Martinelli beat Diogo Dalot for pace before beating David De Gea. It was to United's relief that VAR judged Christian Eriksen to have been dispossessed illegally having been caught in possession by Martin Odegaard.
Despite Arsenal placing them under the cosh, United held their opposition at bay and were punishing from an attacking standpoint. Again, it was a case of fast, incisive attacking moves prevailing, helping United to overcome opposing control.
An 18-pass passage, in which every player touched the ball at least once, led to United opening the scoring. The developing understanding within the side was shown by the fluid, assured build-up which ultimately undid Arsenal.
Eriksen played a crucial role by kickstarting a tempo shift that followed an initially patient phase of possession. Subsequent to that, there was a display of quick passing coupled with expert movement and location of space inside the final third. Bruno Fernandes was the recipient of Eriksen's pass from deep, finding space before offloading the ball to Jadon Sancho just before he was fouled by Gabriel. Sancho shifted the ball to Marcus Rashford, who showed a quick train of thought to play debutant Antony into space inside the Arsenal penalty area. The finish was clinical from United's late-window acquisition.
There had been murmurings of concern as to Antony's goal output in the Eredivisie, but doubt should be dispelled if he continues to find areas like he did for the goal and produce such a decisive end product.
The Brazilian winger did seem to slot straight into the side, proving the value of prior experience under Ten Hag in terms of helping his adaptation. And, through his exuberance in his first ever outing at Old Trafford after joining United for a significant fee, it was clear that he won't allow any sort of pressure to become a burden. He showed a desire to make things happen, unafraid of getting on the ball and willing to face up to opponents. There was an air of confidence that he could make something happen at any given time.
Additionally, Antony offered an intensity off the ball. He showed a willingness to track back and make challenges, winning possession on numerous occasions; it was a display of commitment to defensive duties that United's forwards have be criticised for lacking in recent times. His medley of celebrations after the goal confirmed his status as a 'wind-up merchant', with his kissing of the United badge judged as being premature by some, but it was, without a doubt, greatly appreciated by the Old Trafford contingent nonetheless.
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Into the second half, Arsenal commenced in a strong manner and threatened United with troubling persistence. As soon as United switched off and a lapse occurred, they were on hand to capitalise. Raphael Varane saw his pass intercepted as he tried to play out from the back, which put him out of position. Dalot managed to cut out Odegaard's ball into the path of Gabriel Jesus, but his intervention went straight to Bukayo Saka, who had a relatively open net to aim at and equalise.
But United heads didn't drop, which likely would have been the case in times not long gone - a marker of replenished confidence and proof of a growing strength against adversity. And, credit to United's improving mentality, they retook the lead through Rashford only six minutes after Saka's strike.
Incision was key to the goal-scoring move yet again. Eriksen played his part in the build-up once more, receiving from Dalot before playing a pass into Fernandes. The subsequent outside-foot through ball from Fernandes was exquisite, with Rashford's run in behind Arsenal's defence perfectly-timed. The ultimate finish was one of assurance.
The celebrations after the goal offered further evidence of the side's togetherness, and the connection between the manager and his players was also shown; the goal came just as Fred was limbering up to come on, with Ten Hag giving him a big hug in celebration on the sidelines. It was an encapsulation of greater harmony within the group, which now seems to include greater respect being shown for the coaches - that was by no means always apparent last season.
And the celebrations weren't done there, especially for Rashford as he scored for a second time to give United a crucial two-goal buffer. A Fernandes through ball was, again, the means of unlocking a disjointed Arsenal back line, with his creative force this time used to pick out Eriksen's run. The spatial awareness from Eriksen to make a timely dart through a gap in the opposing defence was impressive, though more to behold was his show of composure and typical selflessness to square the ball to the accompanying Rashford inside the box.
By opting against going alone and having to beat Aaron Ramsdale, Eriksen passing to Rashford for a simpler finish erased any doubt as to United squandering a golden opportunity.
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Eriksen is continually proving invaluable through his ability to, often even discreetly, keep things ticking over. He has been a welcome, calming presence in midfield, play-making from deep as well as picking up threatening attacking positions when the opportunity presents itself. For the first two United goals, he was key in starting the eventual goal-scoring phase from inside his own half, then making the attacking run in-behind to engineer the final goal.
Something more unexpected that Eriksen has offered in his so-called 'free eight' role has been his running, offering a work rate superior to many of his team-mates' despite voices being concerned with regards to his stamina. He is playing lots of football at a high intensity yet is sustaining his level more and more.
Rashford, meanwhile, is showing that he is regaining full fitness, with his burst of pace returning, which could be critical along with his renewed confidence in front of goal if he is to operate as a striker more frequently. He has also shown his value in link-up play of late, epitomised by his assist for Antony's goal against Arsenal. There remain some instances of hesitance on the ball as his belief continues to be rebuilt, but there is a definite re-found desire to make attacking runs as well as put opposition players under pressure.
On the whole, United proved themselves as being lethal on the attacking transition for both of Rashford's goals, with line-breaking, defence-splitting passes combined with well-timed runs deciding factors in terms of United coming out with three points.
United never looked back after retaking the lead. Defensively, they stood firm against an in-form Arsenal attack, making a number of tackles and blocks while winning plenty of their duels.
Again, the entire side displayed character starkly contrastive to that when they appeared down-and-out after their opening two matches of the campaign put them bottom of the Premier League. Since losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, they haven't even gone a goal behind, reinforcing the bounce-back ability of this team.
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The atmosphere at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon was fantastic as the fans acknowledged the work of the players throughout proceedings. There was no toxicity and were few complaints towards the players, especially relative to more taxing periods recently. There is a sense that this is finally a group that supporters can fully get behind. It is a team with quality and, in its absence, determination can compensate.
Mind, fans can't get carried away, nor can the players (and it doesn't seem as though they are). But there are clear as day signs that the players are already absolutely buying into Ten Hag's ways, improving in different manners game by game as they take his suggestions onboard.
After all, Arsenal were top of the table and hadn't dropped a point up until facing United. It is hugely positive that United were able to convincingly resist arguably the league's most in-form side, especially given that they actually played well on the day too.
For United fans, while it is still an early stage under Ten Hag, there are certainly means to be encouraged.
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