Manchester United made it four wins on the spin thanks to a pulsating 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
18.08.2022 - 12:11 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United are only 180 minutes into their latest Premier League season and, yet, there have been enough spills if not thrills to provide a familiar narrative. It was supposed to be so different under Erik ten Hag.
Of course, there is more than enough time for the former Ajax manager to turn fortunes around and current failings are not his doing. However, one decision Ten Hag did make during the summer transfer window has come under the spotlight following another high-octane matchday in the English top-flight.
Having been humbled by Brighton on the opening day, United were humiliated by Brentford on Saturday afternoon as David de Gea made a glaring error which set the tone for a 4-0 demolition. Around 24 hours later, United stopper Dean Henderson played a significant role in loan club Nottingham Forest grabbing their first win back in the big time after 23 years.
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Had things turned out differently last summer, Henderson would have been number one at Old Trafford, but De Gea reclaimed the gloves and was a rare shining light in an otherwise dismal campaign for United.
In the short-term, that decision was justified and Henderson sought a move elsewhere. However, he was tracked by Ten Hag while he was still at Ajax and the door might have been reopened.
As it turned out, though, the incoming United manager stuck by De Gea and out went Henderson, once again, while the timing of his penalty heroics could not be ignored. It brought sky-high praise from Forest manager Steve Cooper who, in analysing his efforts, negated past criticism over the United graduate from none other than Roy Keane.
Cooper said: "At times, you need goalkeepers to have big moments. The
Manchester United made it four wins on the spin thanks to a pulsating 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford.
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