Lisandro Martinez is showing on and off camera why Manchester United fans love him already

It came in the 26 th minute; a flurry of slick and sharp passes inside their own third that quickened when Lisandro Martinez broke the lines to send Tyrell Malacia foraging forward. Defence to attack.

“United, United, United,” the away-dayers roared. This was a glimpse of the identity Erik ten Hag was hired to install, an incisive and progressive approach played out well within earshot of the United following. David de Gea was even unflustered in playing the ball outside of his area. A new United way, perhaps.

The mood at United has shifted as drastically as their budget in the second half of August. The supporters continue to chastise the Glazer family and demand their removal and those chants will not abate. United supporters greeted the full-time whistle with another rendition of "We want Glazers out".

Read more: United player ratings vs Leicester

The atmosphere is undeniably more buoyant and the players are safe from hearing "You're not fit to wear the shirt" for now. "We love United, we do," they were informed as they approached the travelling section.

At times, it was too straightforward and serene against a Leicester team almost as disillusioned as their supporters. United were not creative enough in the first-half and within five minutes of the restart James Maddison stung De Gea's palm. Mercifully for United, James Justin hit the ball like a full-back with his one-shot in added time.

Whatever the mitigation of Leicester's basement-club status and the disarray their transfer window ended in, United were authoritative against a team (and, in recent years, a rival) who had beaten them three times and drawn twice in their last five meetings.

Leicester away last season sparked a spectacular spiral that signalled