Christian Eriksen senses a "big difference" in the atmosphere surrounding Manchester United after they continued an impressive revival by beating Arsenal.
United have won four successive league games for the first time since April 2021 after dealing the Gunners their first defeat of the campaign on Sunday. A Marcus Rashford double and a debut goal from Antony handed the Red Devils a 3-1 victory.
As well as teeing up Rashford's second goal, Eriksen topped United's charts for chances created (three), touches (56) and passes in the final third (16) during a masterful midfield showing.
United's fine recent form is a far cry from their start to the campaign, when they suffered humiliating back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford – they are just the third team in Premier League history to lose their opening two matches before winning their next four.
Eriksen believes the Red Devils are now hitting their stride, telling Sky Sports: "There's a big difference compared to the first two games, that is true.
"But also I think the whole set-up with the new manager coming in, me being new obviously, a lot of players coming in late… we're getting used to everyone.
"I think you can feel it now, it's going to be more comfortable, being with the lads, and it's a really nice group. Everyone wants to do their best and compete.
"The quality we have with the players up front, anyone can pass, anyone can score. It's lovely to play behind; if it's a good pass, it's going to be finished.
"It was a fun football game, a lot of things were happening at both ends but I think with the result, it was a lovely afternoon."
Pressed on what had changed since an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Brentford last month, Eriksen said: "We obviously started with winning. Even the ugly games, the one-nils, have built something up."
United have had two 1-0 victories, against Southampton and Leicester City, helping to generate the feelgood mood.
"You feel that in the team, you feel it as a player on the training pitch and in the games," Eriksen said.
"We're starting to understand each other, to know where to pass the ball, where to stand, so it makes it easier."
Manager Erik ten Hag was keen to emphasise Eriksen's importance to his team, saying: "We put him a little bit more down in the pitch, like a six or eight role, and there he has a lot of freedom.
"We tell him the spaces where he has to be and also how the rest have to adapt to that, and I think he can win a game for you.
"You can make the switch of play if he can see the pass; between the lines he can give a final pass, and also he can go into attack to score a goal.
"What he can improve is always defending. So we will give him that. But I think he played a magnificently good game."
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
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