Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham have given Manchester United an early season headache

Manchester United have work to do when they return from the season's first international break.

Having moved decisively in the market to sign three primary targets, namely Andre Onana, Mason Mount and fit-again Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, the club made four further additions on deadline day. However, that huge, almost £200million outlay has not (yet) yielded results on the pitch.

United have defeated Wolves and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, but they were under-par in that first match and survived a two-goal scare in the other. On the road, it has been disappointing.

Top-four rivals Tottenham and Arsenal consigned United to quickfire reverses in North London to leave Ten Hag's men sitting on six points from four matches this season and means they are already playing catch up on a number of their likely top four rivals. Here, we take a closer look at how the fellow contenders for Champions League places have started.

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Results: W W D W

Position: 5th (10 points)

Having finished as runners-up last season, there has been additional pressure on Mikel Arteta to start brightly in a bid to ignite another title charge. Arsenal splashed out more than £230million on Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to improve the squad and Rice was the match-winner against United on Sunday afternoon. That was a pulsating Premier League showdown that could have gone either way, but the Gunners drew first blood to keep up speed with the predictable early-campaign pacesetters.

Results: D L W L

Position: 12th (4 points)

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