Another win for Manchester United and already the cloud that hung over them after the humiliating defeat to Brentford has shifted significantly.
Three successive wins has brought a fresh optimism around the new era, with the latest 1-0 win over Leicester on Thursday making that 4-0 drubbing a few weeks back seem an almost distant memory. With new signings still to become fully-fledged members of the team too, suddenly things are looking a lot rosier for United this season.
Yet one man who will not forget that horror show at Brentford in a hurry is Erik ten Hag, who has helped lift United from their nadir and quickly galvanise his troops, but clearly still has some firm demands he wants met by his players.
Ten Hag has already developed a reputation as a strict disciplinarian in a dressing room in desperate need of some order and direction. That was nowhere to be seen in the capitulation at Brentford, and even after the match Ten Hag was left dismayed by some of the actions of his players.
Some of United's leading stars failed to even go over to the club's travelling fans who had witnessed one of the lowest points in their Premier League history. Cristiano Ronaldo was among those to head straight down the tunnel, even after Ten Hag's No.2. Steve McClaren had gestured to him to go over and acknowledge the United faithful.
Captain Harry Maguire also kept a safe distance from the disgruntled fans, preferring to show his bashful gratitude from afar. Goalkeeper David de Gea was one of the only players to actually make a considerable effort to get close enough to the fans to express an apology for his errors during the match.
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The events obviously had a lasting impression on Ten Hag, who stayed on the pitch after the final whistle against Leicester to ensure every player went over to acknowledge the United fans who had made the trip to the King Power Stadium. Ten Hag himself did not go over, instead leaving the duties to his players as he continues to push his squad into taking greater responsibility.
Some of the signs he would have seen during the victory will no doubt have been pleasing, none perhaps more so than the a show of collective unity amongst his defenders when Diogo Dalot shepherded Harvey Barnes down the line before winning a goal kick.
United's players celebrated the moment like a goal, with Dalot's actions helping them to regroup on their way to sealing three points. Jadon Sancho's clever finish proved to be the difference after he rounded Leicester's goalkeeper in the first half to get United's noses in front.
New signing Antony was not even named on the bench as he awaits his debut, though Ronaldo was again selected amongst the substitutes, along with Casemiro, both of whom were introduced in the second half.
The win lifts United up to fifth in the table with a clash against league leaders Arsenal to come on Sunday.
