Whisper it quietly, but there is a feeling of positivity beginning to sweep its way through the streets around Old Trafford once again.
Sunday night's 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park was Manchester United's fifth win in their last six Premier League outings, leaving them just a point shy of the top-four after the first eight games of the Erik ten Hag era. While there is no denying that several problems still need addressing and ironing out, the positives have certainly outweighed the negatives so far this season.
The win over Frank Lampard's side, arguably, was United's most complete and polished performance under Ten Hag so far. The Reds had the courage to fight back from a goal down, contend with the loss of Anthony Martial to another injury, show plenty of discipline when managing the game in the second half and survived a late onslaught. It was a significant step in the direct direction.
READ MORE: United must resist misleading Marcus Rashford temptation
In many ways, the win over Everton felt like it could be a huge moment in United's season, ahead of a trio of home games against Omonia Nicosia, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur over the next week or so. There is no denying that United have responded well to their 6-3 humbling at Manchester City a little over a week ago, since recording back-to-back away wins, both of which required them to come from behind.
Both victories also provided further evidence of the progress Marcus Rashford has made so far this season. After scoring twice to inspire the 3-2 comeback against Omonia, he was denied a sixth goal of the season by a controversial VAR decision at Goodison Park, but that did not put a downer on his performance, as he once again highlighted his importance to the way Ten Hag wants his team to play.
Starting on the left of the front-three, which many consider as his best position, he had the measure of Seamus Coleman, giving him no chance to rest. He was a constant threat and was unfortunate not to leave Merseyside having already surpassed his goals tally for the whole of last season.
Along with Martial, whose terrible luck on the injury front continued against the Toffees, Rashford has been one of United's most improved players so far this term. He has been revitalised by Ten Hag's methods and attitude towards him. He is benefitting from his management style and there is a feeling of excitement surrounding him once more.
He is tailor-made for the way Ten Hag wants United to attack, in that he has pace, trickery and a willingness to work hard out-of-possession. He has warmed to the Dutchman's style and both he and United are now benefitting from that.
But should Rashford's upturn in form in recent weeks come as too great a surprise? Not if summer signing Antony's past comments about Ten Hag's management skills are anything to go by. The Brazilian, while he and Ten Hag were still on Ajax's books, pointed out how the 52-year-old has the capability to improve any player that he gets the chance to work with.
"Every player under his guidance becomes a better footballer through his training," Antony told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf during his time in the Netherlands. "Since my arrival, he has given me a lot of confidence and believed in what I can do."
Rashford is certainly showing signs of improvement - and his statistics prove it. So far this term the versatile attacker, who will have aspirations of helping England at the World Cup in Qatar next month, has scored five goals and grabbed three assists in nine appearances. He managed just five goals and two assists in 32 appearances last season.
The improvement is startling and it cannot be considered a fluke. Rashford is thriving as a result of Ten Hag's methods and he looks like a different player. Furthermore, he is also playing with a smile on his face, something that was a rarity last season.
Ten Hag, proven by some of United's most recent performances, is beginning to get what he wants from his players, in the sense that patterns of play have been aligned with his wishes; proactive and forward-thinking. It is clear that the Dutchman is having the impact United's decision-makers hoped for, both on the team and on individuals.
READ NEXT:
