Remember that time, not so long ago, when there was a crisis at Manchester United?
After four straight wins, it seems like a dim and distant memory.
The latest sign that United is well on the road to recovery came on Sunday with a 3-1 win over Arsenal, whose 100% start to the season came to an end.
There were still anti-Glazer chants inside and outside Old Trafford — it feels like those protests against the ownership are here to stay, whether the team wins or loses — but they are now accompanied by frequent and jubilant roars for goals.
Two of them were scored in the second half by Marcus Rashford to sweep United to victory after Arsenal pulled it back to 1-1 through Bukayo Saka, but the opening goal felt the most significant.
Antony, United’s latest big signing from Ajax for US$95 million, marked his first match in English soccer with a goal from a curling, first-time finish in the 35th minute, crowning a performance that featured a slew of jinks, feints, flicks and exaggerated stepovers that thrilled home fans. The Brazil winger came off in the 58th to a standing ovation to be replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo, who again had to settle for a starting spot on the bench.
“He did well, but I think he can step it up,” said United manager Erik ten Hag, who was with Antony at Ajax last season. “This is a different league but there's potential there.”
Since that humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford that sparked a crisis and some doubts around the wisdom of hiring Ten Hag, United has beaten Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and now Arsenal, the league leader.
After six games, United is only three points behind Arsenal and two behind Manchester City, the title favourite. The confidence is back and a style of play has formed.
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How quickly things have turned around.
“The spirit from this team, they can deal with setbacks like we did," Ten Hag said. “It is really great and shows your mentality — we have really improved on that.”
Arsenal will bemoan a 12th-minute goal by Gabriel Martinelli getting ruled out following an intervention by the video referee for a slight push by Martin Odegaard on Christian Eriksen. The visitors also reacted badly to conceding a second goal soon after equalizing, with an attacking triple substitution in the 74th minute perhaps coming too early and making the team disjointed.
Rashford, rejuvenated under Ten Hag after a full pre-season, scored a minute later.
Still, Arsenal played well enough to show it could be sticking around for the long haul this season.
“We had some big periods where we were totally dominant and in total control," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We created chance after chance but did not close the game.”
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