But the nature of United’s football at the moment is nowhere near as convincing as their place at the summit might suggest. A return of just three shots on target in 180 minutes of football will rarely earn a side six points as it has United so far in 2015-16.
Besides Januzaj’s neatly-taken finish from an excellent Juan Mata through-ball there was little else to write home about when it came to United’s play in the final third. While they enjoyed plenty of possession, it rarely looked likely to provide a springboard to a huge win.
Louis van Gaal admitted afterwards that he wasn’t entirely happy, and it is clear to see why.
"When you score more than your opponent, it’s enough. But I think we had too many unnecessary ball losses. That wasn’t just Januzaj but also Depay and Rooney, so we have to improve that," admitted the manager.
There is a clear need for something different in the final third from what United have so far been able to provide in their two 1-0 successes.
Memphis Depay was switched to his more natural left side at Villa Park, with Januzaj getting the nod in the centre as a result. But the Dutchman had a forgettable night, with a kamikaze free-kick attempt and a failure from a one-on-one after a wonderful Mata pass summing up his performance.
Wayne Rooney looked no more potent either. Despite starting as the lone striker, it was his work dropping behind the three attacking midfielders which did him most credit. At no point did he really turn around the Villa defenders and appear ready to cause them serious trouble.
To United’s credit they have so far belied the pre-season talk that they would struggle defensively. Two clean sheets have been fair reward for their work at the back, with Sergio Romero having the most comfortable of times so far in goal after being brought in to replace the unsettled David de Gea.
Daley Blind also excelled against what was expected to be a lively and troubling Villa attack. For a player supposedly playing out of position, he has looked right at home.
Yet the small successes at the back can only cover the attacking issues so much, and the arrival of Pedro Rodriguez can barely come soon enough. There should be pace, flair and guile in this United attack but little of any of those qualities have so far been on display. The Barcelona man should add a different dimension, while Van Gaal would do well to reassess the need for a traditional target man as well.
A win is a win though, and it is far less daunting to be looking to make such changes with six points on the board than with none. United have grown a knack for chiselling out victories despite not playing with the pace and energy that has become their way over a period of many decades.
It is not ‘The United Way’ but it is so far proving to be a winning way nonetheless.
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