After the Brentford debacle, not many would have imagined that this Manchester United side would go on a four-game winning streak, but here we are after Sunday’s 3-1 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Back-to-back home wins for the first time since the start of 2022 with the team managing to score despite being unaware of proceedings for much of the second half will definitely please Erik ten Hag, who had called for cruelty from the strikers. .
Rash back in form
Arsenal was supposed to be the biggest test for this United team and they definitely proved to be much more adept at keeping the ball as United had to maintain their form for much of the game.
But they always seemed to carry that threat on the counter and in the end that proved to be the difference between the two sides as United moved up to fifth in the table, just three points behind Arsenal who remain top.
Marcus Rashford appears to have rediscovered him in form with two second-half goals, while providing the assist for Antony’s first goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Nice to finally meet you, Old Trafford!! @ManUtd
???? @ESPNBrasil pic.twitter.com/0xaFFCNktv
– Antonio Santos (@antony00) September 4, 2022
This was the first time the Mancunian had scored twice against the North London outfit since making his debut in 2015-16.
While the offense will deservedly get most of the credit, one player who has been an absolute juggernaut in the middle of the park is Scott McTominay.
His association with Fred was widely criticized after the first two weeks, and after Casemiro’s arrival for big money, the Scotland international was expected to lose his place to the Brazilian.
McTominay is the new midfield general
There were even malicious reports claiming that the player was about to go on loan with several interested Premier League clubs.
But McTominay has not only managed to keep the Brazilian international on the bench, he has yet to be substituted in the four games United have won.
“He has to get used to the way I play football… On the other hand, Scott McTominay is playing very well,” Ten Hag had said when asked why Casemiro was not starting against Mikel Arteta’s team.
Once again he was magnificent against the Gunners, winning tackles in midfield, stopping play at regular intervals and always playing the right ball.
His crucial intervention late in the game, where he prevented Gabriel Martinelli from cutting the deficit, was met with high-fives from every member of the defence.
With the next match scheduled to be in the Europa League against Real Sociedad, the current first XI could be in for a well-earned break and McTominay has certainly cemented his place there.
