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There's no doubt Manchester United have come flying out of the blocks this season.
Two wins and eight goals from two games tells its own story, but results aside, they have a different look about them.
Different in the sense that they know, after three years without a Premiership title, that it is time to deliver. Their fans expect it of them, and you just sense there is a little more intent there.
They also knew that a good start was imperative. They had to be on their game from day one, because as strange as it sounds after two games, they cannot afford to lose ground on Chelsea or any of the other top sides.
That was their problem last season, when I think they dropped seven points out of the first 18. Normally that is not a problem for Manchester United because Sir Alex Ferguson and the rest of football knows they are more than capable of putting a formidable run of wins together after Christmas.
But being safe in that knowledge is no longer enough. Chelsea won 18 out of 19 home games last season, dropping just two points, which is just ridiculous!
They have dispelled the idea of a strong finish winning the title. They have set the bar at new heights. Now you need to be at the races from the word go.
United have done that all right and this time, so far they've looked a more together, purposeful side, with a little bit of that old United confidence back.
I think the problems with Ruud van Nistelrooy cast a bit of a shadow over the club towards the end of last season and having sorted that out, it looks a much happier ship.
You cannot argue with the goals van Nistelrooy scored, but what Louis Saha brings this United side is a different set of options.
While Ruud liked the ball into feet and would drop deep to do get it, Saha has the pace and the ability to stretch sides.
He can drop deep as well, but as I said on commentary at Charlton, he also loves the ball over the top. He has got the pace to get in behind him and he is more than capable of running at defenders as well, and we know he can finish.
Whether or not they will miss van Nistelrooy's goals only time will tell, but so far the answer has to be no. I do think we will also see more of Ryan Giggs playing off the front man, when and as Sir Alex feels it necessary. Giggs' performance, particularly his touch, at The Valley was outstanding.
Cristiano Ronaldo also showed that he is big enough to deal with the stick he is going to get at grounds this season.
And don't forget United have been without some big names already.
You could say they were only up against Fulham and Charlton but they have swept them aside without Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Alan Smith at one time or another.
Getting Carrick back ahead so soon will be a huge boost and the thing about this United side is, I don't think they are anywhere near at their strongest.
They are a pretty young lot that have done the job so far, but I don't think this is side that can go and get results at Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal or in Europe against Barcelona and Real Madrid.
There are much bigger tests than Charlton and Fulham ahead, but then there are much bigger players to come back in. If you want to be champions, you can't afford to be left in the blocks. United haven't.
Two wins and eight goals from two games tells its own story, but results aside, they have a different look about them.
Different in the sense that they know, after three years without a Premiership title, that it is time to deliver. Their fans expect it of them, and you just sense there is a little more intent there.
They also knew that a good start was imperative. They had to be on their game from day one, because as strange as it sounds after two games, they cannot afford to lose ground on Chelsea or any of the other top sides.
That was their problem last season, when I think they dropped seven points out of the first 18. Normally that is not a problem for Manchester United because Sir Alex Ferguson and the rest of football knows they are more than capable of putting a formidable run of wins together after Christmas.
But being safe in that knowledge is no longer enough. Chelsea won 18 out of 19 home games last season, dropping just two points, which is just ridiculous!
They have dispelled the idea of a strong finish winning the title. They have set the bar at new heights. Now you need to be at the races from the word go.
United have done that all right and this time, so far they've looked a more together, purposeful side, with a little bit of that old United confidence back.
I think the problems with Ruud van Nistelrooy cast a bit of a shadow over the club towards the end of last season and having sorted that out, it looks a much happier ship.You cannot argue with the goals van Nistelrooy scored, but what Louis Saha brings this United side is a different set of options.
While Ruud liked the ball into feet and would drop deep to do get it, Saha has the pace and the ability to stretch sides.
He can drop deep as well, but as I said on commentary at Charlton, he also loves the ball over the top. He has got the pace to get in behind him and he is more than capable of running at defenders as well, and we know he can finish.
Whether or not they will miss van Nistelrooy's goals only time will tell, but so far the answer has to be no. I do think we will also see more of Ryan Giggs playing off the front man, when and as Sir Alex feels it necessary. Giggs' performance, particularly his touch, at The Valley was outstanding.
Cristiano Ronaldo also showed that he is big enough to deal with the stick he is going to get at grounds this season.
And don't forget United have been without some big names already.
You could say they were only up against Fulham and Charlton but they have swept them aside without Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Alan Smith at one time or another.Getting Carrick back ahead so soon will be a huge boost and the thing about this United side is, I don't think they are anywhere near at their strongest.
They are a pretty young lot that have done the job so far, but I don't think this is side that can go and get results at Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal or in Europe against Barcelona and Real Madrid.
There are much bigger tests than Charlton and Fulham ahead, but then there are much bigger players to come back in. If you want to be champions, you can't afford to be left in the blocks. United haven't.
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