Breaking news:Has Ten Hag ‘found the winning formula’?

Erik ten Hag has found a winning formula that he must persist with to overturn Manchester United’s fortunes on the pitch.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“Alex, United have beaten 13th-place Brentford 2-1 at home. Relax, chump.”

That’s true. But hear me out.

Plenty of intrigue has swarmed Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Old Trafford return. Can one of United’s greatest forwards sprinkle some of his goal dust (see what I did there?) on Ten Hag’s misfiring attack?

From what I and 73,737 others witnessed on the pitch on Saturday, he may already be making the desired impact.

The scoreline does not tell the whole story. United were dominant as they faced more adversity square in the face. Ten Hag orchestrated a genuinely encouraging performance all around. He needed that.

As for that winning formula. I’ll get to the point. Marcus Rashford was a joy to watch on the right flank – defensively and offensively.

He showcased his range of passing – a criminally underrated trait – to connect with Alejandro Garnacho on the opposite flank and cause havoc for Brentford’s vulnerable back line.

And Garnacho, what a menace. The zestful Argentina winger just doesn’t stop. Shot after shot after shot. He will consistently score and assist goals simply due to how often he gets himself in the positions to do so.

Then there’s Rasmus Hojlund as United’s number nine finds his stride. If Van Nistelrooy exudes his influence onto anyone on the pitches of Carrington, it will be him.

You would be forgiven if you thought for a split second that the Dutch icon had found a spare strip in the dugout and produced that delightful winner.

Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee are exciting squad options, but Ten Hag has found his first-choice front three. He must allow them to continue growing together.