Arsenal and Spurs give Manchester United players chance to prove two things to Erik ten Hag

There were two words that Erik ten Hag repeated so often last season that they almost became a mantra for the Manchester United manager. Personality and character. It was what he felt the squad lacked whe he arrived, what they showed at times last season and what they didn't when those dispiriting defeats that are still a hallmark of this side occurred.

The Etihad, Anfield, St James' Park and the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan are all venues that would bring United out in a cold sweat. They surrendered meekly in all of those fixtures and for all the success of a trophy, another cup final and third place, they were also days that left a stain on the season.

They all occurred away from home and travel sickness was Ten Hag's biggest problem last season. United didn't lose again in the league at Old Trafford after the opening day of the season but they didn't win away from home against any of the top nine either.

Their record against the traditional big six was particularly dispiriting. Beaten at Manchester City, Arsenal. Liverpool and held to draws by Chelsea and Tottenham. The stalemate at Stamford Bridge required an injury-time equaliser against a side that finished 12th and they chucked away a two-goal lead against a ramshackle Spurs side in North London.

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Speaking last month, after those assignments had been completed and United's issue in big games away from home had been laid bare, Ten Hag didn't need long to identify the problem, which always means he knows the solution.

"It is absolutely true," the United manager said about the away form against the top sides. "But it is to do with personality and character and this is where we need to step up and face this.