Christian Eriksen senses a big difference in the atmosphere surrounding Manchester United after they continued an impressive revival by beating Arsenal.
United have won four successive league games for the first time since April 2021 after dealing the Gunners their first defeat of the campaign on Sunday. A Marcus Rashford double and a debut goal from Antony handed the Red Devils a 3-1 victory.
As well as teeing up Rashford s second goal, Eriksen topped United s charts for chances created (three), touches (56) and passes in the final third (16) during a masterful midfield showing.
United s fine recent form is a far cry from their start to the campaign, when they suffered humiliating back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford – they are just the third team in Premier League history to lose their opening two matches before winning their next four.
Eriksen believes the Red Devils are now hitting their stride, telling Sky Sports: There s a big difference compared to the first two games, that is true.
But also I think the whole set-up with the new manager coming in, me being new obviously, a lot of players coming in late… we re getting used to everyone.
I think you can feel it now, it s going to be more comfortable, being with the lads, and it s a really nice group. Everyone wants to do their best and compete.
The quality we have with the players up front, anyone can pass, anyone can score. It s lovely to play behind; if it s a good pass, it s going to be finished.
It was a fun football game, a lot of things were happening at both ends but I think with the result, it was a lovely afternoon.
First United assist appreciation tweet. ||
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Pressed on what had changed since an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Brentford last month, Eriksen said: We obviously started with winning. Even the ugly games, the one-nils, have built something up.
United have had two 1-0 victories, against Southampton and Leicester City, helping to generate the feelgood mood.
You feel that in the team, you feel it as a player on the training pitch and in the games, Eriksen said.
We re starting to understand each other, to know where to pass the ball, where to stand, so it makes it easier.
Manager Erik ten Hag was keen to emphasise Eriksen s importance to his team, saying: We put him a little bit more down in the pitch, like a six or eight role, and there he has a lot of freedom.
We tell him the spaces where he has to be and also how the rest have to adapt to that, and I think he can win a game for you.
You can make the switch of play if he can see the pass; between the lines he can give a final pass, and also he can go into attack to score a goal.
What he can improve is always defending. So we will give him that. But I think he played a magnificently good game.
