Erik ten Hag hailed the culture and mentality change at Manchester United after the Red Devils battled to a late Premier League victory at Fulham on Sunday.
Dan James' second-half strike at Craven Cottage seemed set to haunt his former side after Christian Eriksen's opener, but substitute Alejandro Garnacho pounced in the 93rd minute to snatch a 2-1 victory.
United had their backs against the wall for large parts after Eriksen's well-crafted 14th-minute goal, with David de Gea making a string of fine stops from his six saves.
Ten Hag pinpointed the resolute United performance as a characterisation of the transformation within the Red Devils' ranks, highlighting the "togetherness" between the players and the supporters as United look to rebuild.
The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "We have a base, we are going in the right direction. The culture has changed. The mentality has changed. That is good.
"We have improved our football base but the first platform is having a better mentality.
"Together with the fans. We are united. We have togetherness. The dressing room, staff, directors, the whole club and the fans have a togetherness and we have that development."
Garnacho, aged 18 years and 135 days, became the youngest player to score a 90th-minute winner in the Premier League since Federico Macheda against Aston Villa, also for United in April 2009 (17y 226d).
The teenager scored his first United senior goal against Real Sociedad in the Europa League two weeks ago, before recording two assists in the 4-2 EFL Cup win over Villa on Thursday.
While questions remain over the Argentina international's attitude, Ten Hag hailed the impact Garnacho had from the bench once more.
"I would say the last few weeks we had some good choices with subs coming in and having big impacts. Today as well," the Dutchman added. "It was a massive win, really important and I'm really happy with this one.
"You have to balance [Garnacho]. You have to perform under stress and he came in and had a big impact on Thursday. The same again."
Ten Hag, speaking to BBC Sport, referenced the mentality of Garnacho as the winger looks to earn a spot in his starting XI.
"That is fantastic. First he shows the mentality you need. Under stress he's performing, he's coming in, he has an impact, he has the belief," he continued.
"Twice in three, four days, so that is really good. I'm really happy that we can bring a young player up and it shows that when players deserve it they get their chances. That is the first one but we have to bring more.
"He's great. I like that he has a big belief and that's great to work with. He likes football. He's a real pleasure."
United head into the World Cup break three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who have played a game more, with the Red Devils' next league outing coming at home to Nottingham Forest on December 27.
Slot: Guardiola contract is 'good news' for Premier League
Arne Slot believes it is "good news" for the Premier League that Pep Guardiola has signed a contract extension with Manchester City.
The Spaniard signed a two-year extension with the reigning champions and will remain in the dugout at the Etihad until 2027.
He has won 18 major trophies in his time at City, including six Premier League titles, and twice beat Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to the top-flight crown by a single point.
Guardiola averages 2.35 points per game in the Premier League, the highest rate of any manager (20+ matches). Indeed, he is so far ahead of the next highest (Alex Ferguson's 2.16), he could lose his next 26 league games in a row and would still be top.
Slot is yet to face City since taking over from Klopp at the start of the season, with the rivals' first meeting of the season set for December 1.
"It's good news for City and for the league because everyone wants the best managers and the best players over here," Slot said when asked about Guardiola's new contract.
"He is definitely one of the best managers, maybe the best manager of the league.
"He's won four titles in a row, so it's fair to say he's maybe the best manager in the league.
"On the other hand, they have so many quality players that, if he would have made the choice to leave, I wouldn't have expected them to end up bottom of the league next season."
Other Premier League managers echoed Slot's sentiment, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who inflicted a fourth consecutive defeat on City before the international break, saying it is the "best thing that can happen to the Premier League".
"He is one of the best coaches in the world," Hurzeler said. "With his ideas, he always brings something new to the football stage, and it is always a challenge to compete against him.
"He always adapts quickly, always has new ideas and he can always win the game. I'm very happy because we can learn from him and to compete with him is a big, big experience."
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe added: "He's contributed so much to English football. He's revolutionised how a lot of teams play.
"I think he's incredibly talented, and it's good for the English game that he's still here.
"He will continue to develop and evolve his style, and people will potentially continue to follow that. From the competition side, I think it keeps the Premier League as the best in the world."
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with AC Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to AC Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A, but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
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