Man Utd officially enter battle royal for top four after win over Arsenal, plus the war on VAR – The Warm-Up

MONDAY’S BIG STORIES This is Man Utd we’re talking about! Ad From a 4-0 defeat at Brentford to four wins on the trot. From a goalkeeper too poor, a central defender too small, a midfield short of ideas and an attack lacking potency, to legitimate top-four candidates. Manchester United fans, it’s your turn to roll into Monday feeling rather smug about everything.

TransfersGlazers ready to sell Manchester United for £3.75 billion – Paper Round9 HOURS AGO They may have been second-best for large parts of the match against Arsenal yesterday, but that mattered little given the manner of their three goals. For all of Arsenal’s possession, it was United who were clinical, giving us perhaps the closest taste of the classic Arsenal-United era that we have witnessed for many a year. Of course, United were already re-emerging as a side capable of finishing in the top four before this match, but the 3-1 win affirmed it, with Arsenal’s perfect start ending with a gut punch for those who have followed them the last 18 years or so.

There was a temptation to hyperbolise and label both teams title contenders after that display. After all, Arsenal are still top and still looked sharp at Old Trafford, while United have just put a fellow Big Six side to the sword, but we will resist that title chat temporarily even if Manchester City are looking vulnerable themselves. For now, we shall sing United and Erik ten Hag’s praises, who saw that coming after their disastrous start? The Dutchman, quite simply, knows what he is doing.