Manchester United's subtle improvements on the road have put them on the cusp of a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Erik ten Hag's side are now just one point away from securing their place amongst Europe's elite next season. Whilst expectations are always high at Old Trafford, the Dutchman has at least matched, if not exceeded expectations.
With a trophy in the bag and an FA Cup final on the way, not to mention the opportunity to end Manchester City's treble hopes, Champions League qualification is a major step forward for United. 12 months ago, it would not have felt possible as they limped to the finish line in a dismal Premier League campaign.
ALSO READ: Manchester United player ratings vs Bournemouth as Raphael Varane and Casemiro good
A year later and United's new steel was tested against Bournemouth in a 1-0 victory on the south coast. Casemiro's acrobatic effort earned them the win with David de Gea and the defence standing strong amid a siege of pressure late on.
The win was fitting to mark United's final away match of the season. There have been huge improvements on last year, with more wins (8), more points (27) and fewer goals conceded (33).
United's poor record away from Old Trafford against the best teams has been well-documented. There is work to do on that front, the team is far from the finished article.
But against the quote-unquote 'smaller teams', United's record has improved significantly. Against the bottom 11 teams in the division, they collected 26 points from a possible 33, losing only once, to West Ham.
Of those eight wins, six of them were to nil, just as it was on Saturday afternoon. United's goals-against tally is heavily massaged by poor results against the bigger sides; conceding six at City, seven at Liverpool, for example. Yet it is still two goals better than what they managed last season overall.
By contrast, against the bottom 11 in 2021/22, they managed only 19 points, highlighting their huge improvement against the 'easier' opponents in the Premier League. In those games, they kept just two clean sheets (Wolves and Norwich City) and none after Christmas.
Of course, there is work to do for United to match the better sides. Ten Hag will be judged on his performances in the big matches if the club are to return to its former glories of challenging for the largest honours.
But the numbers prove that Ten Hag has installed resilience in his players that did not exist previously. The horror away days of Vicarage Road and The Amex have become a thing of the past.
Undoubtedly, the improved fitness of Raphael Varane and arrival of Lisandro Martinez has played its part. By and large, United have enjoyed a settled defence.
Whilst De Gea has been criticised, and fairly in most quarters, he has made crucial saves to ensure 1-0 wins don't turn into dropped points. His save against Kieffer Moor in the dying minutes on Saturday was another example of the Spaniard showing he can still win points for United, even if his long-term future is in doubt.
Casemiro's arrival has undoubtedly changed the landscape of their midfield. He has proven to be a class above anyone else at the club in the midfield anchor role.
Not just his quality on the ball but his experience and wily characteristics have rubbed off on his team-mate. United know how to manage tight away matches and see the game through.
There is plenty of room for improvement and next season, Ten Hag might be judged more harshly on his record against United's nearest rivals. But as their final away game ebbed into another 1-0 away win, the signs of improvement are evident.
READ MORE:
