Natural width
When Ralf Rangnick went to his bench at half-time on Monday it was to make two changes that could introduce width to the team, switching to a 4-1-3-2 and it was balls from out wide that led to United’s best chances of the game, including the equaliser.
Against Burnley it could have been described as Rangnick’s preferred 4-2-2-2, only with the No. 10s much wider, or even an ultra-aggressive 4-2-4 at times.
Crucially, it had width and that made a difference. Manchester United looked more fluent and more threatening going forward than at any point under Rangnick so far.
In Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood, there were players who could provide that wide threat in attack. They might have played as inverted wingers but their starting positions were on the touchline and that opened up space for Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The problem for Rangnick is bringing Bruno Fernandes back into this system. He can’t offer the same width and will naturally drift infield as a No. 10. United lack the attacking full-backs to really carry the threat for them on the wing, so they need to provide that further forward and that might be an issue for Fernandes.
Shaw makes his case
Rangnick said the five non-enforced changes against Burnley were about "fresh legs and fresh energy" after the game three days ago, but those coming in would have seen it as an opportunity to press their case and in that regard, it was certainly a good night for Luke Shaw.
The left-back's ability to play for United had been questioned by Rangnick in an interview 15 months ago and while he's improved since then, he's not shown his best form this season.
The German had preferred Alex Telles for his first three Premier League games in charge but this was the Shaw of last season, charging forward and influencing games in the final third. When space opened up for him midway through the first half he needed no second invitation to break into it, eventually slicing a shot into the side-netting. Shaw can keep his width when attacking down the left but he also has the intelligence to drive inside when the winger is outside of him and it can be problematic for defences to deal with.
That earned a round of applause from Rangnick and for all Telles' technical qualities, Shaw's industry, energy and aggression could help swing the battle at left-back in his favour.
McTominay's sharpshooting
The banner wishing Sir Alex Ferguson a happy 80th birthday had not long finished its journey across the Stretford End when the former United manager got the best present imaginable - an early goal from a Scot who had come through the prized United academy.
Maybe it was fitting that Scott McTominay should open the scoring and bring such a beaming smile to the face of Ferguson, who will be raising a glass to the start of his 81st year today.
It was a typically fine McTominay finish, however, and it felt surprising that it was his first of the season. These are the pockets the midfielder can be deadly from. He might not be great at breaking the lines with his passing, but he can surge forward well and he is an undoubted threat when the ball is at his feet on the edge of the area.
He showed that again with United's third goal, his accuracy from distance forcing Wayne Hennesey into a fingertip save with Ronaldo on hand to finish the job.
A new front two
This was the longest Ronaldo and Cavani have spent on the same pitch this season and there were certainly signs this is a partnership that could yet flourish.
They linked up only occasionally but Cavani's workrate and pressing ability makes him an ideal foil for Ronaldo and they did seem to be on the same wavelength when it came to roles in the attack.
It's a partnership United fans want to see more of as well, with Cavani's King of Uruguay chant the first to be aired, a sign of his enduring popularity.
The closest they came to a link-up was when Ronaldo's neat header created a chance for Cavani, only for his volley to hit Hennesey in the face. The offside flag had been raised anyway.
Rangnick has yet to settle on an ideal partner for Ronaldo in this system, but Cavani certainly deserves a chance to make that place his own now.
Burnley's high press
United's attempts to play out from the back often produce gasps from the Old Trafford faithful. This is a side that rarely look comfortable when knocking the ball around inside their own penalty area and they don't have the authority of the top three when it comes to centre backs who are comfortable in possession.
It was a weakness that Burnley had clearly identified. When David de Gea lined up to take a goal kick the visitors would have six players camped within 25 yards of the goal waiting to explode into an aggressive press if United went short.
Occasionally it proved to be a fruitful tactic, with Burnley fancying their chances of forcing United's midfielder into turning over the ball or earning a loose pass from one of the full-backs.
Teams often come to Old Trafford and sit off United, so it will be interesting to see if more teams follow Burnley's approach and try and prey on what might be a slight weakness.
