Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is close to achieving first promise to supporters

After Manchester United suffered defeats against Brighton and Brentford, Erik ten Hag was forced to change his approach. The Dutchman wanted his side to control proceedings in those matches, but his midfield lacked physicality and that was not conducive to an expansive style, which made him revert to pragmatic tactics for the visit of Liverpool.

Although Liverpool won 9-0 on aggregate across both meetings against United last season and supporters feared the worst when they visited Old Trafford in August, they witnessed an unlikely 2-1 victory and an outstanding performance.

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford got on the scoresheet and their goals were enough to ensure three points. A beaming Ten Hag punched the air at the full-time whistle and that result was the catalyst for a change of fortunes.

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The team has been on quite the journey since that first win of the season and the glimmers of Ten Hag's philosophy have become increasingly sustained, as the style on the pitch has progressed to the 'end goal' with each month.

Ten Hag was wrestling with immense pressure after an awful start to the campaign and United desperately needed points on the board, which meant a pragmatic approach in August and September was necessary but the style has since evolved.

In his first interview in May 2022 after being appointed from Ajax, Ten Hag discussed how he wanted his United team to play and he used two words - attacking football - more than any others throughout that conversation.

"There is a similarity with opponents being highly motivated but also attacking football. We are playing in the Theatre of Dreams and have to entertain the opponent," Ten Hag said. "We are