Mikel Arteta Arsenal comparison fuelling Manchester United's belief in Erik ten Hag

Manchester United feel they have been vindicated in backing manager Erik ten Hag amid the team's recent mini-revival.

United have won their past three games, scoring 11 goals, and are eight points off the final Champions League qualifying place in the Premier League table.

Senior sources at the club believe Ten Hag has made good on his private and public proclamations that the team would improve with his strongest XI available.

Although United suffered a setback with Lisandro Martinez's injury in the defeat of West Ham, the Argentine could return from a medial collateral ligament injury after the March internationals.

Before United's season resumed against Newport County nine days ago, they had lost more games than they had won. The 3-0 triumph over West Ham on Sunday marked only their second three-game winning run of the season.

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Well-placed sources at United have highlighted the patience Arsenal showed with coach Mikel Arteta after a tumultuous first half of the season for Ten Hag. Arteta was appointed in December 2019 and although Arsenal won the FA Cup at the end of that season, Arsenal finished eighth two seasons running under the Spaniard.

Arsenal lost their first three fixtures of the 2021-22 season by an aggregate score of 9-0, prompting widespread calls for Arteta to be sacked among the fanbase. Arsenal went on to end the season in fifth and they came second to Manchester City last term.

Some United players expressed doubts about Ten Hag this season, ranging from his tactics to some of his signings, but the dressing room dissenters were a minority. Ten Hag's role has never been in genuine