Manchester United enter the second international break of the season in the top half of the Premier League table, in 10th position.
A defeat to Sunderland at the weekend would have set up a miserable fortnight for Manchester United, and possibly even a sacking for Ruben Amorim. We can thankfully forget that now.
The comfortable 2-0 win was strangely comfortable for Manchester United, unlike most games involving Ruben Amorim’s side.
And suddenly the potential doom and gloom turns into optimism and cheer, with United fans able to take a breather.
Now let’s dive in and look at five reasons for Manchester United supporters to be positive…
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United won against one big team, showed ability to compete
Manchester United entered the season with three tough fixtures in the opening five matches, against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Losing all three would have been a disaster, Ruben Amorim had to record a signature win against one of these sides with ambition to compete for the title.
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Amorim’s United lost two, but crucially won the third, beating Chelsea 2-1 in a largely one-sided game at Old Trafford.
Only the City performance was a major disappointment. United played well against Arsenal and should have had at least a draw.
Heading into a game away at Liverpool next, United have shown an ability to be competitive in big games, and can go to Anfield optimistic of a result.
United have now won three games in a row at Old Trafford
One thing Ruben Amorim had to improve on was for United to consistently win games at Old Trafford. Last season there was little evidence of this.
Whisper it, but Manchester United are now putting a run of home victories together, with three in a row.
Despite a failure to win back-to-back league games, United have beaten Burnley, Chelsea and Sunderland in successive home fixtures.
This is the kind of consistency Amorim needs to continue to build on. It will keep the fans onside, which is absolutely imperative at the moment.
United’s next home fixtures are against Brighton, and then Tottenham.
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United’s centre-forward is scoring goals, he looks like a find
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is on a hot streak of two goals in two games, and the international break comes at a bad time.
Sesko scored a poacher’s goal against Sunderland and his overall performance and link-up play was excellent.
Rasmus Hojlund took until December in his first season to score his first Premier League goal for Manchester United.
Sesko’s goals indicate United may have found a consistent scorer. If he can score in the next game away at Liverpool then he will immediately have hero status.
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United may have solved the club’s goalkeeper crisis
Another exciting new signing, Senne Lammens already looks like a gem after just one game. The goalkeeper kept a clean sheet on his debut in the win over Sunderland.
David de Gea showed his flaws during his final season with the club and it was right to move on from the Spaniard in 2023.
But the decision to sign Andre Onana as his replacement was clearly a bad move, and backup Altay Bayindir was even worse.
Amorim persisted with Bayindir for too long after Lammens signed on deadline day, but it feels now like there is hope with Lammens.
Another huge test awaits when United visit Liverpool, but for now there is real hope that United have solved the goalkeeper crisis..
United have competition for places all over the pitch, there is more to come
It is quite clear that there is a lot more to come from this Manchester United side, which is still trying to find some consistency.
Amad had 19 combined goals or assists last season. He is currently on zero. That will change, he was threatening against Sunderland and will soon be back on the scoresheet.
New signing Matheus Cunha is also yet to make a decisive impact. He had 21 Premier League goal contributions last season.
If United can get Amad and Cunha firing then this team can reach a whole new level, and there are more players we want to see kicking on too.
Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have plenty to offer and have just not had the opportunity, while United eventually hope to welcome Lisandro Martinez back from injury.
There is a large swathe of impressive academy talent waiting in the wings too. If United can start winning consistently and find some stability, then Amorim may feel confident in giving them an opportunity.