Manchester United don't want to be in the Europa League, though they have become a little more familiar with UEFA's second-tier competition in recent years.

Nevertheless, this is the first time since the 2019-20 season that they've entered the Europa League in the group stage and there were positives to take from that campaign.

Those positives generally revolved around United being able to give young players the chance to impress.

Tahith Chong, Axel Tuanzebe, Angel Gomes, Brandon Williams, James Garner, Largie Ramazani, Ethan Galbraith, D'Mani Mellor, Dylan Levitt, Ethan Laird and Di'Shon Bernard all got opportunities to play in that group stage, with many of them making their debuts.

Granted, a scan of that list doesn't show many players who've gone on to become regulars at United – a few remain at the club but are either down the pecking order or unlikely to have long-term futures, while Garner recently joined Everton and Gomes and Ramazani are impressing elsewhere in Europe.

United allowed a lot of players to leave the club on permanent deals and loans in the most recent transfer window, so there is every reason to expect any youngsters given chances in the group may not be familiar faces.

Ahead of Thursday's group opener against Real Sociedad, Stats Perform takes a look at the young talents who might emerge for United over the next few months.

On the fringes

United fans will hope the Europa League final provides them with an opportunity to see Facundo Pellistri in action. The Uruguayan winger joined the club nearly two years ago but hasn't played a single minute of competitive action, and neither of his loan spells at Deportivo Alaves were particularly impressive.

He caught the eye in pre-season last year but was still shipped out – he made a couple of appearances this time around before suffering an injury, which also ended any plans for another loan spell.

But if there's any South American winger likely to stake his claim for more first-team minutes, it's Alejandro Garnacho. The 18-year-old has already played for the senior side, including once this term, and has been a regular among the substitutes for Erik ten Hag.

An explosive, direct winger, Garnacho appears to be one of the most talented players to come through at United in recent years.

Such statements had been reserved for Shola Shoretire until fairly recently. The gifted – albeit diminutive – forward became United's youngest ever player in European competition (17 years, 23 days) when appearing against Thursday's opposition in February 2021, so he still has time on his side, but he hasn't really kicked on since in terms of collecting first-team minutes.

Having said that, United reportedly shelved plans for him to go on loan just before the transfer window closed, with Ten Hag apparently keen to keep him around until January – perhaps an opportunity or two is around the corner?

Out to make a name

It's fair to say United have a lot of promising talent coming through at the moment. Among those yet to play for the senior side, Kobbie Mainoo looks the biggest prospect of them all.

Only 17, Mainoo is an elegant playmaker who possesses exceptional technical attributes – he ran the show as United's Under-21s beat Carlisle United's first-team 2-1 in the EFL Trophy last week and has been training with Ten Hag's main squad ahead of Thursday's match.

Mainoo's by no means the only midfielder exciting people at Old Trafford, though. Isak Hansen-Aaroen courted attention in pre-season when a pre-match photo showing his impressive tattoo collection went viral on social media – at the time he was 17, though there is no 18-plus restriction on body art in his native Norway.

Unbeknownst to many of those sharing the photo, Hansen-Aaroen is an extremely gifted and versatile player capable of featuring in midfield and attack. He's quick, a wonderful dribbler, creative and difficult to knock off the ball. He's clearly already got Ten Hag's attention as he featured briefly against Rayo Vallecano in pre-season – a competitive debut certainly isn't out of the question this season.

Former Manchester City youngster Charlie McNeill is another who has been training with the seniors this week. Something of a goal machine at youth level, the 18-year-old is a well-rounded striker who works hard and possesses strong associative attributes. Given Anthony Martial's continued absence, McNeill could be an understudy to Cristiano Ronaldo in Europe over the next few weeks.

Charlie Savage, son of former Wales international Robbie Savage, made his first-team debut under Ralf Rangnick last season – as did Zidane Iqbal. The two midfielders both have plenty of potential, with the former possessing some of the bite his dad was renowned for, and each will be hopeful of kicking on after a brief introduction to senior football in 2021-22.

Diogo Dalot hailed Antony's instant impact at Manchester United and backed the winger to "adapt quickly", with the partnership made easier between the pair due to their native Portuguese language.

Former Ajax winger Antony, who United paid an initial £81.3million (€95m) for, scored just three days after moving to Old Trafford as he netted in Sunday's 3-1 win over Arsenal.

That strike made Antony, aged 22 years and 192 days, the youngest Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut for any team.

Dalot operated at right-back behind the 22-year-old, the Portugal international starting his sixth game in succession for United, which suggests he may be Erik ten Hag's preferred option going forward.

While the pair hail from different countries, they both speak Portuguese – a factor that Dalot believes will help Antony settle into life in Manchester.

"I mean I think you could see the impact he had straight away in our team," Dalot said of his team-mate as United prepare to face Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday. 

"It will take time for us to adapt to each other, but I think he adapted really quickly in the few days that he had in training and especially in the game [3-1 win over Arsenal].

"Obviously it makes it a little bit easier for me to speak to him in Portuguese, it comes out a little bit quicker than English.

"But I think he's a very good kid, very open to getting help as well, which is good, I think he'll adapt quickly. Everybody welcomed him as if he'd been here a long time, and I'm sure he'll be very successful."

Antony is not the only Brazilian to arrive for Ten Hag's side, with Casemiro leaving Real Madrid to join United, who have also brought in the likes of Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.

Those new signings appear to be settling in, with United recording four straight Premier League victories after opening with two defeats, including a 4-0 hammering at Brentford.

Ten Hag has constantly reiterated United are far from the finished article – sitting fifth in the embryonic Premier League table, just three points behind leaders Arsenal – and Dalot is glad to see an upturn in form.

"It's always difficult when you lose games. Obviously, the mood is not the same, but in our heads we always come here every day to give 100 per cent, to get better in every aspect that we can," he added.

"After Brentford, we had a full week to prepare for a game we knew would be difficult. We won it, it's in the past, now we want to focus on tomorrow, and do the same thing every day, give 100 per cent and win games."

Dalot started just 19 league games last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, but believes Ten Hag is now rewarding him for fighting for his position with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

"I'm enjoying the opportunities I'm being given. This is why I came here, to play games, to give my best every single game, to be ready for every game, and this is what I've been doing and what I've been fighting for," he continued. 

"Competition will always be there, this is a club with high standards and high demands, this is the way that I like to work. I will try to keep on doing it for as long as I can. It's been a very positive start."

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are in "control" when it comes to Marcus Rashford's future, adding that the forward is "happier" with his place at the club.

The England international was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain over the off-season following a difficult 2021-22 campaign, where he scored just five times in 32 games across all competitions.

But with three goals and two assists in the first six games of the new Premier League season, the 24-year-old looks to have rediscovered both the best of his abilities and his satisfaction with life at Old Trafford.

Rashford's United contract expires at the end of the current campaign, but with United set to start their Europa League campaign against Real Sociedad this week, manager Ten Hag says the club have his future in hand, given they have the option to extend his contract by a year.

"Definitely," the Dutchman stated when asked if the forward was in his long-term plans. "I don't think he is out of contract - I think United control the situation.

"It's difficult for me to talk about the past. What I see is a happy Marcus Rashford. We worked really hard the last two months with him on different aspects. He likes it, he wants to transfer it to the pitch.

"He comes in every day, he enjoys it, he's smiling, [he has] a really positive vibe. If you put all of those things together and you are happy, you will contribute more to the team."

Rashford's role as a centre-forward has kept Cristiano Ronaldo out of the starting line-up the past four games for United, with the Portuguese star benched alongside captain Harry Maguire.

Quizzed on whether a return could be on the cards for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, Ten Hag acknowledged the veteran forward is fit to feature from the off, while discussing plans to rotate his squad for their European schedule.

"He started against Brentford, then not since, but he is ready to start," added Ten Hag.

"Of course [he can start for the majority of games]. We have to win every game. We want to win every tournament, so we take everything seriously.

"We not only have a team, we have a squad, but we have to win every game and that is the mentality Manchester United needs."

Ten Hag acknowledged his approach may not keep all of the big names in his squad satisfied, but says his players will get a chance to shine, providing they earn their place.

"Maybe I can not keep them all happy every game, but everyone gets the game time if they perform well, [it is] quite clear," he added. "We need everyone, we have a lot of games to cover."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag feels "sorry" for Thomas Tuchel following his dismissal as boss of rivals Chelsea.

Tuchel surprisingly parted company with the Blues on Wednesday, just a day on from starting their Champions League campaign with a shock 1-0 loss at Dinamo Zagreb.

An indifferent start to their Premier League campaign that has produced three wins, two defeats and a draw has left Chelsea sixth in the table.

The news came as a surprise to many, though, given Chelsea spent big in the transfer window to sign the likes of Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Having also won the Champions League four months after joining the club in January 2021, most would have expected Tuchel to be afforded more time by the club's new owners led by Todd Boehly.

Asked for his reaction to Tuchel's sacking, Ten Hag had told reporters: "I feel sorry, but there is nothing I can say. It's Chelsea, not Man United. It's early in the season, yes."

United are one place and two points ahead of Chelsea in the infant Premier League.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be in peak condition for the World Cup and Portugal can "rest easy" about what he will bring at Qatar 2022, says Selecao legend Luis Figo.

Superstar forward Ronaldo has found himself out of the team at Manchester United in recent weeks, following on from a pre-season of uncertainty.

The 37-year-old reportedly wanted to depart Old Trafford just 12 months after returning in order to find a move to a club playing in the Champions League.

A move failed to materialise, though, and Ronaldo's only start this season under new boss Erik ten Hag came in the humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford.

That is partly explained by the fact Ronaldo missed much of United's pre-season due to personal reasons, but the Red Devils have chalked up four straight wins with the legendary forward out of the starting XI.

With a little over two months until Fernando Santos' side begin their World Cup campaign against Ghana, Portugal fans will hope their leading man is afforded more starts.

Real Madrid great Figo is confident he will be in prime form for the tournament.

Speaking at the FPF Football Talks 2022 in Lisbon, Figo said: "I have no doubt about Cristiano [Ronaldo]'s quality, commitment and professionalism. 

"I'm sure he'll be at the World Cup in the best possible [physical] condition. What will those conditions be? I don't know. 

"But without a doubt, given his quality and professionalism, as I said, Portugal can rest easy about what he can give to the Selecao."

Portugal needed to win a play-off against North Macedonia to book their spot in Qatar but, in a tournament considered wide open by most pundits, the Selecao will fancy their chances of a deep run.

Figo is also sure they can be a force to be reckoned with in Qatar.

"I think Portugal has one of the best teams in the world. But a Euro and a World Cup depend on many factors. Not only on individual and collective quality," he added.

"I hope that Portugal, after a complicated qualification phase, can show its value, that we can achieve our goals, that is to say, reach the final and win this World Cup."

During his playing days, Figo was involved in one of the most controversial transfers in football history when he swapped Barcelona for Clasico rivals Real Madrid for a then world-record fee back in July 2000.

The story of the move has been retold in the Netflix documentary 'The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football'.

Asked how he felt about the situation having relived it via the show, Figo said: "I lived it so I don't feel any different. 

"Of course, those who didn't live it, who have spoken and criticised, will have a different feeling. But my feeling is the same as 22 years ago."

Eric Bailly has criticised Manchester United for what he perceives to be a bias towards English players following his departure for Marseille.

Bailly was very highly rated when he became Jose Mourinho's first signing at the club in 2016, but he left late last month on a loan deal that could become permanent having only once accumulated more than 21 appearances in a full season.

Injuries undoubtedly played their part in Bailly's struggles, but he was also prone to moments of rashness and the occasional loss of concentration, which did not help his cause.

Seemingly, however, Bailly thinks there were other factors at play as well, claiming there to be a bias towards English players at the club, with his comments interpreted by many as clear criticism of the much-maligned – and now out-of-favour – captain Harry Maguire.

"The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance," he told the Times.

"[The club should] encourage competition in the dressing room, not just look out for some. I've always had the feeling that the [English] national player was prioritised.

"That doesn't happen at Chelsea or other big Premier League clubs. Some people take it for granted that they are going to start, and that weakens the team.

"Luckily [Erik] ten Hag has a lot of character and I hope he can change that dynamic."

The data certainly suggests United looked to English players more than their rivals over the past six seasons, the period Bailly is referring to.

While Liverpool (33), Tottenham (30) and Arsenal (27) have both seen more English players represent them for at least one minute across all competitions over the period in question than United (26), the Red Devils have given greater prominence to more homegrown players.

Between August 2016 and the end of last season, they had nine English players feature for at least 5,000 minutes across all competitions – none of the other so-called 'big six' have more than six English players that meet the same criteria.

Ten Hag's decision to drop Maguire and Luke Shaw suggests United do now have a manager who is willing to shake things up again, but still Bailly wanted out.

"I played important games and in some I was chosen as the best player. I think when I was given the opportunity I rose to the occasion, I just lacked consistency, because I think I deserved more minutes," he continued. "I've had good times and won titles.

"I met Ten Hag in the dressing room at the end of last season when he went to sign his contract.

"I was packing my things because my intention was to leave, but he told me he wanted me to stay because he was going to give minutes to everyone.

"I agreed to do the [pre-season] tour with United, and he kept his word, but I don't want to play every now and then. I want to do it every week and feel important. I want to get my confidence back."

Gavi is one of the hottest young talents around Europe having become a regular at Barcelona in 2021-22.

The youngster has been capped 10 times for Spain already, despite only turning 18 in August.

However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been frustrated that he is yet to re-commit to the club.

TOP STORY – BAYERN MUNICH ENTER GAVI PURSUIT

German champions Bayern Munich have joined the race for Barcelona's teenage midfielder Gavi, reports Bild.

Gavi is out of contract at the end of this season and already being pursued by Liverpool and Manchester United.

Bayern are monitoring Gavi's contract status to see if he does renew his deal with the Blaugrana, with reports he is restless.

ROUND-UP

– The Standard reports that Chelsea's main target in January is a new central midfielder, with Ajax's Mexico international Edson Alvarez top of the list.

– Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has offered a hint that Mason Mount is set for a new contract, liking a tweet from Fabrizio Romano that claimed talks are under way with a final proposal soon.

– Miralem Pjanic may end his time with Barcelona on Tuesday, according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims he is set to fly to UAE to discuss a deal with Sharjah FC .

– Wolves' proposed move for ex-Spain international Diego Costa could collapse due to his work permit application being denied due to a lack of recent international appearances, reports The Sun. The ex-Chelsea forward is a free agent.

Christian Eriksen has had a transformative effect on Manchester United, so says club great Paul Scholes.

Eriksen arrived ahead of the new campaign on a free transfer, having restarted his career with Brentford last term following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, and has started every game so far under Erik ten Hag.

The former Inter and Tottenham playmaker has emerged as the creative hub of Ten Hag's rejuvenated squad at Old Trafford and delivered a superb display to topple league leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

An assist, a team-leading three key passes and 33 successful passes (also a team high) helped United seal a 3-1 victory.

His tally of key passes was more than the per 90 average of any United midfielder last term (Bruno Fernandes – 2.6), and Scholes believes the Denmark international has been crucial to United's upturn in form.

"Forwards know when the ball's coming, they know they've got a midfield player who is thinking about them even before the ball comes," he said on how Eriksen lifts United's attack.

"They know he's watching, he's looking all the time. He's always scanning the pitch and he's only thinking about going forward. I can't tell you how important that is as a number 10 and as a wide player.

"If you don't have that and you have the players that we've had playing in there who are always facing backwards and going backwards, their movement's a waste of time, so whatever movement they do it doesn't matter.

"You see Bruno [Fernandes], who's so clever to get in those spaces behind the midfield and in front of the back four, but you need someone to find him.

"Christian Eriksen has certainly got that. For a number 10 to have any kind of influence on a football game then they need a midfield player of that kind of quality."

Per 90 minutes this season across his six Premier League appearances, Eriksen averages 65 touches, 1.3 chances created and 6.6 recoveries, signifying his importance to Ten Hag's midfield.

Gabriel Jesus believes Arsenal will come back stronger after seeing their perfect start to the Premier League campaign halted by Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal dominated for long periods but were unable to win their first six games of a top-flight campaign for the first time since 1947-48, as Marcus Rashford followed up Antony's debut goal with a second-half brace to clinch a 3-1 win for the Red Devils.

The Gunners, who briefly got back on level terms through Bukayo Saka on the hour mark, have now won just one of their last 16 Premier League games at Old Trafford (five draws, 10 losses).

But Arsenal remain top of the early Premier League standings, and Jesus believes they will take valuable lessons from the reverse.

"The feeling is frustration because we play, we control the game and [before] the first two goals we concede, we were better than the opponent - and then we just concede," he said. 

"But now is the time to learn from it and improve. We are doing so well this season but there are still things to improve for everyone, as individuals and as a team.

"Everyone is together and we stick together until the end.

"We came to play against a strong opponent and it's always hard, it's the Premier League. 

"So we are not happy because, in my opinion, we could win because we played so much better. But that's football, they have quality as well and then if you don't go there and kill, you are going to have a big problem – and that's what happened."

Remarkably, given Jesus has now faced United in 10 Premier League games, the Red Devils are one of just three sides he has faced in the competition but not scored against, alongside Cardiff City and Brentford. 

With Mikel Arteta leading Arsenal's youthful side to the club's joint-best Premier League start since 2004-05, when they took 16 points from their first six outings (also getting 15 points in 2013-14), Jesus believes they will still improve further.

"If you look at our team, you can see we are still young. It is the youngest team in the league, in the toughest league of the world," he added.

"We are playing so good and then we play against an opponent, who is young as well, but we have to learn from it. 

"We have to stick together and improve as a team and don't think about this one. This one is gone, no one is perfect. No team in the world is perfect and we have to play to try to score and don't concede. 

"That's football and we are doing this, but sometimes the opponent has quality as well. They come and they can score. Now it is our challenge to improve a lot of things, and come back strong."

Arsenal travel to FC Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Everton in the Premier League three days later.

Bayern Munich have reportedly told Harry Kane to avoid signing a new contract with Tottenham as they plot a move for the England captain.

Kane, 29, has five goals from six Premier League games this season, and needs 12 more this campaign to reach 200 career Premier League goals.

With 73 international caps and 50 goals in his country's shirt, his legacy in England is secured, but with a distinct lack of silverware up until this point, it is a fair question to wonder how much longer he will remain content at Tottenham.

TOP STORY – BAYERN MUNICH PLAN BLOCKBUSTER HARRY KANE MOVE

German publication Bild claims reports about Bayern's interest in Kane following the departure of Robert Lewandowski had plenty of substance, and that their desire to land the striker has only intensified.

With Kane's contract tying him to Tottenham until 2024, the report states the Bavarian giants will plan another move at the end of the season when he enters the last year of his deal, putting Spurs in a position where they need to sell or risk losing him on a free transfer.

Bayern are yet to lose a game this season, and no Bundesliga team has scored more than their 17 goals, but after an explosive start they now sit third after 1-1 draws against Borussia Monchengladbach and Union Berlin.

ROUND-UP

– The Daily Mail is reporting the Glazer family have placed a £3.75billion price tag on Manchester United.

– Crystal Palace will bid £20million for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher after being impressed during his loan stint last season, also according to the Daily Mail.

– Leicestershire Live is reporting Leicester City centre-back Caglar Soyuncu – who was left out of the side for their 5-2 loss against Brighton and Hove Albion – is a target of Turkish side Galatasaray, with their transfer window not closing until September 8.

– According to The Athletic, Diego Costa will be returning to the Premier League as long as his medical with Wolves, planned for Tuesday, goes according to plan.

– PSV forward Cody Gakpo, who Manchester United showed interest in before they landed Antony, is now said to be a primary target for Leeds United in January.

Bruno Fernandes declared Manchester United must make winning a habit after their revival gathered pace with a 3-1 victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Despite being under pressure for long periods, United dealt the Gunners their first defeat of the campaign after Marcus Rashford followed up Antony's debut strike with a second-half brace, with Fernandes laying on the England international's first.

Since Fernandes made his Premier League debut in February 2020, he has recorded 26 assists in the competition – only Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (29) has teed up more goals in that time.

Meanwhile, United's four-match winning sequence is their longest in the Premier League since last April (a run of five) and has provided welcome relief for Erik ten Hag after he lost his first two games at the helm.

Speaking to the club's media channels, Fernandes called on United to continue their improved form as he declared: "It has to become a habit.

"We know that, playing for this club, [winning] has to be a habit. 

"We have to do that. We know that sometimes we get a result, sometimes we don't, but the fight and the spirit and the togetherness has to always be there to get three points."

United came away with the victory despite managing less than 40 per cent possession against Mikel Arteta's side, and Fernandes was delighted by the resilience the hosts showed.

"I thought everyone was compact," United's stand-in captain added.

"The togetherness was there, the fighting spirit and everything, and that's why we get the three points and that's why we have a performance like that.

"Sometimes you have to be deep, you have to defend, you have to defend your own box because the other team has quality and can cause you problems. 

"If you do like we did today, you don’t concede many and you score more than them.

"We know we can be a threat on the counter-attack, and we can also play a little bit more and we have to play a little bit more, we know that."

Ten Hag will get his first taste of continental competition in the United dugout when the Red Devils host Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday, with a Premier League trip to Crystal Palace to follow three days later.

Christian Eriksen senses a "big difference" in the atmosphere surrounding Manchester United after they continued an impressive revival by beating Arsenal.

United have won four successive league games for the first time since April 2021 after dealing the Gunners their first defeat of the campaign on Sunday. A Marcus Rashford double and a debut goal from Antony handed the Red Devils a 3-1 victory.

As well as teeing up Rashford's second goal, Eriksen topped United's charts for chances created (three), touches (56) and passes in the final third (16) during a masterful midfield showing.

United's fine recent form is a far cry from their start to the campaign, when they suffered humiliating back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford – they are just the third team in Premier League history to lose their opening two matches before winning their next four.

Eriksen believes the Red Devils are now hitting their stride, telling Sky Sports: "There's a big difference compared to the first two games, that is true.

"But also I think the whole set-up with the new manager coming in, me being new obviously, a lot of players coming in late… we're getting used to everyone.

"I think you can feel it now, it's going to be more comfortable, being with the lads, and it's a really nice group. Everyone wants to do their best and compete.

"The quality we have with the players up front, anyone can pass, anyone can score. It's lovely to play behind; if it's a good pass, it's going to be finished.

"It was a fun football game, a lot of things were happening at both ends but I think with the result, it was a lovely afternoon."

Pressed on what had changed since an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Brentford last month, Eriksen said: "We obviously started with winning. Even the ugly games, the one-nils, have built something up."

United have had two 1-0 victories, against Southampton and Leicester City, helping to generate the feelgood mood.

"You feel that in the team, you feel it as a player on the training pitch and in the games," Eriksen said.

"We're starting to understand each other, to know where to pass the ball, where to stand, so it makes it easier."

Manager Erik ten Hag was keen to emphasise Eriksen's importance to his team, saying: "We put him a little bit more down in the pitch, like a six or eight role, and there he has a lot of freedom.

"We tell him the spaces where he has to be and also how the rest have to adapt to that, and I think he can win a game for you.

"You can make the switch of play if he can see the pass; between the lines he can give a final pass, and also he can go into attack to score a goal.

"What he can improve is always defending. So we will give him that. But I think he played a magnificently good game."

Antony expects his Manchester United debut to be an omen of things to come after scoring in Sunday's 3-1 win over Arsenal.

The former Ajax winger, recruited for an initial £81.3million (€95m) in a deal that was sealed on Thursday, became the 100th Brazilian to play in the Premier League.

He started and played for almost an hour before being replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo, marking his first appearance for the Red Devils with a sharp finish in the 35th minute.

Arsenal equalised moments after his departure through Bukayo Saka, but Marcus Rashford scored twice to ensure Antony's United bow was a successful one.

At the age of 22 years and 192 days, Antony became the youngest Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut.

Acknowledging the success of his Old Trafford bow, he wrote on Twitter: "What an incredible day! A huge thanks to all MU staff and my teammates!! I'll never forget this day!

"To United fans, all my affection for this reception! Let's go for more! That's just the beginning!"

The deal for Antony may ultimately cost United £86million (€100m), but it will be money well spent if he turns up big performances against rivals such as Arsenal, whose early lead at the Premier League summit has been trimmed to one point after the sixth round of games.

Former United captain Roy Keane believes Erik ten Hag has worked wonders to turn around a team who lost 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion and 4-0 to Brentford in their opening two games of the season.

This United team are only the third side in Premier League history to win four in a row after losing their opening two games in a season, after Tottenham in 2011-12 and Arsenal in 2018-19.

Manager Ten Hag arrived from Ajax, and by bringing Antony with him as a player he knows well, there is a strong likelihood the move will succeed.

"He's got a group of players he's happy with and can work with," Keane said on Sky Sports.

"He's obviously been backed in the transfer market, which helps, and he knows some of the personalities he's brought in.

"I just think there's a bit of a character building with this team, there's personalities in this team. The place was bouncing, and the feelgood factor is definitely back at the club."

Erik ten Hag warned Manchester United "are still far away" from challenging the Premier League elite, despite beating Arsenal on Sunday to make it four wins in a row.

Two second-half goals from Marcus Rashford, after Bukayo Saka cancelled out debutant Antony's opener, gave United a 3-1 victory over their old foes at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have collected a maximum 12 points from their past four matches in their best run of form in the league since April 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United have defeated Arsenal and Liverpool during a streak that has taken them from bottom of the division into fifth, but Ten Hag does not believe his side are title contenders.

"We have to get better if you want to win trophies in the end," Ten Hag said.

"I understand fans that they dream and, of course, the standards of Man United has to be high, but we are all in the start of a process. We are still far away.

"We have to get doing things much better than we do now. And that is an investment. We have to go that way together every day, bringing that high standard to [the training ground at] Carrington.

"The players know we have to get better if you want to win trophies in the end. What we have to do is win every game."

Ten Hag made a change to his starting line-up for the first time in four matches by bringing in new signing Antony in place of Anthony Elanga.

United had less possession (39.5 per cent) than Arsenal and a smaller expected goals (xG) return of 1.35 compared to 1.45 for their opponents.

The hosts managed to pick up another victory, however, and Ten Hag feels his side will only get stronger after spending more time together on the training ground.

"We have to invest in training and in meetings in order to get that in games," the Dutchman said. "We are just at the start of a process.

"Casemiro has only just arrived; Antony has just got here; Cristiano Ronaldo missed pre-season, so we have to get that practice in.

"Once we do that we'll be able to control games better. In the process we will dictate games. There's a long way to go but we are going in the right direction."

United's improved form comes on the back of losing their opening two matches against Brighton and Hove Albion and Brentford, conceding six times and scoring just once.

They are only the third side in Premier League history to win four in a row after losing their opening two, after Tottenham in the 2011-12 season and Arsenal in 2018-19.

"From day one we have set high standards and values," Ten Hag added of his side's recent performances. "We work hard to create a winning culture.

"I'm not now thinking we are at that point, but we are on our way, heading in a good direction and have to keep this going.

"We'll continue pushing the attitude and mentality by setting high standards every day. Good is not good enough – we have to do better and I think there's room for improvement."

Mikel Arteta lamented Arsenal's wastefulness in front of goal as they slipped to a 3-1 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

Bukayo Saka deservedly pulled the Gunners level on the hour mark after Antony had opened the scoring on his United debut in the first half.

The Red Devils stormed back after that, though, and ended Arsenal's 100-per-cent start to the season thanks to two goals from Marcus Rashford.

The result meant Arsenal have won just one of their past 16 Premier League matches at OId Trafford.

The Gunners enjoyed 60.5 per cent possession and had 16 shots to United's 10, and Arteta believes his side did more than enough to take three points back to London.

"I am really disappointed to lose the game especially with the way it went over the 95 minutes," he told Sky Sports.

"We had some big periods where we were totally dominant and in total control. We created chance after chance but did not close the game.

"In any moment, when they have open spaces, they are going to hurt you.

"They had three big chances and scored three goals; we have numerous chances and we didn't score enough. We had a period in the first 18 minutes when we struggled and did not control the game but after that it was all us.

"We lose the ball in a really difficult place and play a ball in an area we don't have to and one pass and they are through.

"We should come here and win because of the way we play. Because of the performance and the way we dominated the game."

Arsenal thought they had taken the lead before Antony's goal when Gabriel Martinelli applied a cool one-on-one finish 12 minutes in.

However, it was ruled out as referee Paul Tierney spotted a foul from Martin Odegaard on Christian Eriksen in the build-up after heading to the monitor – much to Arteta's frustration.  

"The referee said it was a really soft decision," he added. "We just ask for consistency. Today we had a disallowed goal again; there is nothing we can do unfortunately now."

Arsenal are next back in action on Thursday when they travel to FC Zurich in the Europa League.