It might still only be early days, but there is an obvious reason why Manchester United fans are feeling increasingly optimistic about their chances of success this season.
Erik ten Hag has brought a new energy and identity to Old Trafford, with fresh ideas and enthusiasm that have every supporter dreaming of a return to the top of English football.
What has been most encouraging is Ten Hag's record in the transfer window. The Dutchman was backed with a record amount of money in the summer, but he still had to spend it wisely. It looks like he has.
READ MORE: Ronaldo has just sent a wake-up call to Ten Hag
Lisandro Martinez has been a rock in defence; Tyrell Malacia a surprise at full-back and Antony looks like he has all the attributes to finally solve their long-term issues on the right wing.
None are quite as important as Christian Eriksen, though. The 30-year-old has already exceeded many people's expectations at Old Trafford and might just be the most important player, given his unique abilities in midfield.
Eriksen, 30, has played 668 minutes of a possible 720 this season and United have won five of their six games since Eriksen switched positions - even that sole defeat comes with the caveat that he had been substituted by the time Sociedad took the lead at Old Trafford.
Not only is he undroppable for United, but he is also irreplaceable at international level. Eriksen caught the eye with his incredible consolation goal for Denmark against Croatia last week, but just as impressive was the way he carved open the French defence on Sunday night.
A clip of the United midfielder went viral on social media as he collected the ball inside his own half, took two delicate touches of the ball and then carved open the opposition with a perfectly-weighted pass.
He was only in possession of the ball for two seconds, but in that blink of an eye he displayed his effortless class and creativity by executing a move he had already thought through in his mind before receiving the ball.
It is that type of awareness and understanding of the game that United have been lacking in recent years. It is that type of play that has already drawn comparisons between him and club legend Paul Scholes.
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap last week, Scholes explained: "[I look for] intelligence. Clever players with a brain.
"[Eriksen] is the perfect example of a player who plays with intelligence; he plays with his brain. He is just a clever player; he knows where he is on the pitch and he knows where other people are on the pitch.
"I don't remember which game it was but they were beaten by somebody and I was a little bit hard on Scott [McTominay] and Fred but they had their backs to goal all the time.
"When they are receiving the ball with their back to goal all the time, it is the only way they can go. A midfielder should always receive the ball on the half turn, so I can still see you and my forward."
Scholes' wish was granted again by Eriksen on Sunday night, not only with his brief moments of brilliance but his overall control of the entire match.
The former Tottenham man finished the night having made eight key passes in total, completing 66 per cent of his attempted long balls, an 84 per cent passing accuracy in total and completing 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles.
It is that overall understanding of the game and an ability to pick a pass or take the ball forward himself that makes Eriksen such a priceless asset to the side, and if United are to have any chance of beating Manchester City this weekend, then they will once again rely on their midfield talisman for a moment of magic.
It still might be too soon to claim Eriksen is their new version of Scholes, but if he carries on like this, the comparisons can't be ignored much longer.
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