Erik ten Hag is about to learn something important about his Manchester United squad

It says a lot about Manchester United's current state of affairs that it was no surprise to anybody that they emerged from their trips to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal with zero points.

For all of the on-field improvements that United have made under Erik ten Hag over the past year or so, their away form against the Premier League's fellow big hitters remains a deeply concerning subject. After losing 2-0 to Tottenham in their first away game of the season, United signed off for the recent international break with a 3-1 reverse against the Gunners.

Both performances, though their showing at the Emirates Stadium was marginally better than the one they produced a few miles down the road at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium two weeks earlier, once again highlighted their struggles on their travels. Though the defeat to Arsenal was late and not without controversy, United failed to increase the confidence levels of their supporters that their away day struggles are nearing a conclusion.

United's first four Premier League fixtures this term featured a varied blend of opponents and expectations. Home games against Wolves and Nottingham Forest meant there was an expectation to secure six points, something the Reds achieved, but not without hard work.

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The trips to Spurs and Arsenal, however, meant expectations were lowered. United took just four points from a possible 27 against top-half teams away from home last season, meaning their away form, specifically against the big hitters, has come under deep scrutiny under Ten Hag's watch - and rightfully so.

United have continued to let their supporters down on their travels and, more often than not, have hit the