Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes things will soon click into place at improving Manchester United.
The arrival of Jose Mourinho and some big-name signings helped bring a winning mentality back to Old Trafford, yet a fine start was curtailed by a troubling three-match losing streak.
United rallied impressively and extended their unbeaten run to a fifth straight match on Monday, securing a hard-fought point from the tense goalless draw at Liverpool.
The visitors edged the first half but had David de Gea to thank for the point after he made two second-half saves, leaving Ibrahimovic looking at the positives.
“I think the game was a good game, a difficult game at the same time,” he said.
“I mean away against Liverpool – Liverpool are unbeaten against the top teams, seven points – and today I think it was a good result.
“After the second half, their chances were more, but we still worked and we can do much more, yes. But we’re working hard and we’re getting there.
“I think (De Gea) did some great saves. That’s why he is a top goalkeeper. You need that also and, yeah, he did a fantastic game.”
It was a solid display that frustrated in-form Liverpool, moving United within five points of leaders Manchester City.
Mourinho leads his side to former club Chelsea on Sunday looking to close the gap further, but Ibrahimovic is not reading too much into things this early in the season.
The 35-year-old does, though, see Mourinho’s philosophy and style taking effect.
“The season is long,” Ibrahimovic said. “I see many teams are losing points at the same time.
“Any week, different things can happen so it is important to win the games you need to win and stay on the top.
“I mean, if you win two games in a row you’re on top. That’s the way it has been so far.
“If we can get the wins we need to win the points then we are on the top, but it is a long season.
“We are there, we are fighting, we are getting points. We just need to click and then it’ll be easier.”
Given changes are likely when Fenerbahce arrive in the Europa League, the team’s fluidity is unlikely to get a chance to improve on Thursday.
Ibrahimovic surprisingly started against Zorya Luhansk in United’s previous European match and promised to make amends if selected having failed __with a header early in the second half at Anfield.
“It was difficult,” he said. “I needed to chase the ball instead of attacking the ball, but still I should have put it at least on target. But the next game, I will do better.”