The hour or so after a big win is never the time for rational thought if you're a football fan, you have to let yourself get carried away - that's the whole point, isn't it?

But here's a stat from Opta for Manchester United fans dreaming of winning it all to contemplate once the elation has come down a notch or two.

• Manchester United have won away to the side top of the Premier League for the first time since March 2021 (2-0 v Manchester City under Ole Gunnar Solskjær), while it was the first time they had scored 3+ goals away to the league leaders since a 3-2 victory at Manchester City in April 2018, under Jose Mourinho.

It is still very early days...

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was absolutely massive. We know that the first game, the derby at Old Trafford, you're always up for them and you know that one-off results can happen, so we had to back it up today.

"We spoke about it before the game, coming to the league leaders, who have been excellent this year I must say, they ask a lot of questions of you, to come here and have the setback late on to get the winner, it was a magnificent performance.

"Michael's [Carrick] come in, he's been brilliant with us, he's brought a fresh energy in, the group's really galvanised. Two tough games, everybody's probably thinks we come away from them with not many points but to win both is magnificent.

"We've got a much bigger squad now we've got the lads back from Afcon and got players like Matheus [Cunha] coming off the bench who I'm sure he's not too happy sat on the bench the last few games. I know what he's like, he wants to play, but he's made the difference in the two games.

"He's come on against City and changed the game, and today again he's made the difference for us. It just shows the squad of players and the attacking players that can come on and do that.

"I thought the first 20 minutes they started really well. They put us on the back foot so much but we knew we watched the game against Liverpool and they did the same in the first half there. We got a grip of the game and started to be a bit more brave on the ball.

"We started playing through the middle and finding passes through the lines. I thought we opened them up. I thought we were comfortable in the second half. Their biggest threat was set-plays, and to score one, it was a scrappy goal to concede. We have quality to hurt teams and we did that today."

On the Man Utd fans: "These fans deserve it. Its been a tough couple of years for them and results like last week and this evening is what they deserve."

Wayne Rooney
Former Man Utd striker & Match of the Day pundit

I thought second half Manchester United were excellent and deserved the win. I thought Arsenal were a bit nervy and started the second half on the back foot really. I think United took advantage of that, looked dangerous, defended really well again and deserved to win in the end.

It's been great for Michael [Carrick], two wins out of two against Manchester City and Arsenal. I don't think he would have dreamt of that start when he took over last week. I think you've seen a complete change in everything really since he's been in. He'll be delighted.

I think Arsenal are still title favourites but it will be a concern for [Mikel] Arteta what's happened in the last three games against Liverpool, [Nottingham] Forest and now Manchester United - but I still think they're probably slight favourites.

Roy Keane
Former Manchester United midfielder on Sky Sports

It does look like a team transformed. A lot of the players are back now and it's a full group. They are producing.

Matt Upson
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium

I don't think the Arsenal players believe it. It's a performance that ran out of steam. They almost had to have the game tied up and won in the opening 35 minutes, and they didn't achieve that. They gave a sloppy goal away and the Manchester United that came out in the second half was very different.

They were harder to play against. They were applying pressure and had two very special moments. The technical ability on both of the goals and the mindset to take those on was really top-class.

I have to credit Manchester United with having that ability to come out in the second half after being really bossed in the first, to win it 3-2 is a great result.

In all seriousness, Manchester United have looked very good and taking six points from two games against the top two in the league is some start for Michael Carrick.

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It's that time again, is it, James?

'Get the contract out, put it down, let him sign it, let him put whatever numbers he wants to put on there given what he's done since he's come in. Let him sign the contract. O̶l̶e̶'s̶ Carrick's at the wheel, he's doing his thing, Man Utd are back!'

What's that? Yes, I did find the clip to get that word for word...

Patrick Vieira
Former Arsenal midfielder on Sky Sports

I think United are back on track. There's still a long way to go built winning against City and Arsenal is really good for the confidence. The smile is back on United players.

Roy Keane
Former Manchester United midfielder on Sky Sports

A brilliant second half for United. Carrick has done very well, two brilliant results and two very good performances. Excellent quality.

Keane and Vieira, you say, Lyle?

Let's find out what they made of it, shall we?

Gary Neville
Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports

An incredible match and a sobering day for Arsenal. They will have to reset and rethink. For United, what a turn around for Carrick's men.

Two sensational second-half strikes give Manchester United a huge win that takes them above Chelsea and Liverpool into fourth.

The United players are soaking in every second in front of a jubilant away end.

As for Arsenal, having had the chance to go nine points clear with a win last weekend, they now find themselves only four points ahead of both Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter

That is amazing.

Michael Carrick has had five games in charge of Manchester United.

He has beaten Arsenal twice, Manchester City and a Villarreal team coached by Unai Emery, plus drawn with Chelsea when Thomas Tuchel was in charge.

He has got twice as many points against City and Arsenal as United got in their three previous games against Wolves, Leeds and Burnley.

Image source, Getty Images

That's it - Manchester United make it two wins in two under Michael Carrick!

Image source, Getty Images

Seconds left as Viktor Gyokeres barges Lisandro Martinez out of the way and gets into the box.

His shot-cross is wayward but the whistle had gone for a foul in any case.