A new manager equals a fresh start in football, and at Manchester United the arrival of Ralf Rangnick has been a breath of fresh air.
Though it is still early days into his reign at Old Trafford, the German has managed to make his mark on and off the pitch, talking the talk with open and honest assessments of the club in the media, while beginning to walk the walk with more control in the performances too.
There can be no ignoring the continued need for improvement, which is required if United are to salvage their season, but after two successive league wins — both with rare clean sheets to boot — it certainly feels like a new era from the turmoil that marked the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's as manager.
A notable change under Rangnick has been that of personnel, not only in regards to the new staff members he has recruited, but also in terms of the players who have been given an opportunity in the first team, which was seldom granted under his predecessor.
Jadon Sancho and Fred appear to now have new importance under the German coach, with Diogo Dalot another player who is on the verge of a permanent starting role based on his recent performances.
It was only this summer that Solskjaer looked to sign a new right-back in order to add an attacking alternative to the blunt threat of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. His eyes were cast on Kieran Trippier, though United baulked at the Atletico Madrid asking price.
Had the Norwegian remained in charge, there is every chance Trippier would have remained a top target heading into the January transfer window. Instead, he is now being eyed by Newcastle as they look to make a statement of intent with their new owners next month. United themselves no longer have an immediate need for a new full-back.
Not only has the recent form of Dalot proven they have a ready made alternative to Wan-Bissaka at their disposal, but the progress of youngster Ethan Laird on loan with Swansea is evidence they might soon have another.
Laird has been plagued by injuries throughout his young career, but under the tutelage of Russel Martin at MK Dons and now the Swans, he has found consistency, providing him with a platform to showcase his own exciting potential.
Though his form has dipped a touch in recent weeks, the 20-year-old continues to gain priceless experience at such a tender age. His role this season has primarily been as a wing-back on the right hand side, another factor working in his favour given Rangnick's desire to get more from his full-backs in an attacking sense.
Rangnick said after the victory against Palace: "Our full-backs [played] forward and asked for the ball on the wing. So they almost played like wing-backs. Especially in the first-half, Alex [Telles] and Diogo did extremely well offensively, and that's why I played 4-2-2-2."
After two positive results with the new setup, it seems inevitable Rangnick will stick with it for the coming weeks and months. It will only increase the importance of having attack-minded full-backs to make it work.
While Solskjaer would have been worried if Newcastle had made an approach for Trippier in the summer window, Rangnick has no reason to be concerned if they got him in January.
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