Manchester United

Four consecutive wins are reward for quickly integrating new signings, reinvigorating others and, most of all, being decisive.

He and the team are sure to stumble but standing three points from the top after six games is a convincing return and, as the 52-year-old likes to repeat, there is vast room for improvement in his fledgling tenure. [For £12.9m, Tyrell Malacia](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/05/manchester-united-confirm-tyrell-malacia-as-first-signing-of-ten-hag-era-cristiano-ronaldo) appears as close to a bargain as [Eriksen’s free acquisition](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jul/15/christian-eriksen-completes-manchester-united-move), the young left-back dislodging Luke Shaw, though the sight of Bukayo Saka wheeling past him as if on skates on Sunday is a concern. The Argentinian loves to defend, can initiate moves from the back and has an element missing from United recently: personality. The headache may become a migraine after Ronaldo did not depart in the window – Ten Hag might privately believe building spirit and cohesion is easier without a discontented megastar around the place – but as the former Ajax manager had overseen three victories by the transfer deadline, his use of Ronaldo as an impact substitute was a fillip for his authority and the team’s potency late on in games. The prevailing sense was of surprise at a memory: that this is how it felt during the golden years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign and that feeling may be starting to become present again. And his man-management is markedly improving the squad.

United's opener against Arsenal started with backwards passes that were jeered by the opposition - but they were key to the goal.

[Granit Xhaka](https://theathletic.com/football/player/granit-xhaka-701HGKSsMRGk4Bry/) is infield watching [Scott McTominay](https://theathletic.com/football/player/scott-mctominay-rXernJIkIW9dTOdt/). [Marcus Rashford](https://theathletic.com/football/player/marcus-rashford-xgQlXcNj79jwXiD4/) makes a run in behind. And now, this feels a very familiar situation for Erik ten Hag’s sides — they’re about to move the ball from one flank to another, having sucked the opposition to one side, [just as they did for the opener against Liverpool.](https://theathletic.com/3530553/2022/08/23/man-utd-liverpool-ten-hag-solskjaer/) [Antony](https://theathletic.com/football/player/antony-wnm4X5Bgf4PfC0PP/), up against two Arsenal players. It’s difficult to imagine Manchester United scoring a goal like this in previous seasons. Antony, on the far side, is already calling for the ball. When Antony had the ball in the corner, they were perfectly organised. … and that means he’s not close enough to win the ball here. The ball goes out to Both are sideways passes, really, but both are taking the ball closer towards Manchester United’s goal rather than the goal they’re attacking. There’s little point throwing a hopeful cross into the box here. It was about how they created the situation — playing four backwards passes and going from level with the opposition penalty area right back to their goalkeeper.

Arsenal won five in a row before defeat at Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta insists their form will not collapse, and that will be the measuring stick by which ...

Right now, it is not a question of Arsenal's level. He was and remains a fine player, who is a prisoner of his own morale. Gabriel Jesus was once again relentless at Old Trafford, his joust with Lisandro Martinez one of the most absorbing aspects of a compelling contest. It is not a question of our level." Arsenal looked like they were ready to compete for the biggest honours again until, of course, they demonstrated they absolutely weren't. "That won't happen because the performance is there," Arteta insisted.

Take a look at our gallery of images from Old Trafford as we lost 3-1 to the Red Devils.

So we have to say thank you and hopefully next time we’ll give them the three points.” We have to look for the next one, win that one, that’s all.” Odegaard added “There were a lot of good moments in the game as well, so we have to take those and learn from the bad ones as well. The game was there for us to take something, we’re all disappointed, the mood is a bit down but that’s how it is.”