It is a different picture at Manchester United now than it was last month as they gear up for the derby against Women's Super League leaders Manchester City.

Eva Olid's side were without a win and low on confidence after their opening three matches in a disappointing start to the season.

But after getting their first win on the board against Sheffield United in the Women's League Cup, United have won six successive matches in all competitions.

They now sit fifth in the table, eight points off unbeaten rivals City, who they face on Sunday (18:00 GMT) hoping to continue their positive form.

So what has changed at United to overturn their fortunes?

The most noticeable changes have happened on the pitch as new manager Olid, who joined in the summer, conceded her side needed to revert to old ways.

They were struggling to adapt to her new style which demands lots of possession, an attacking mindset and high-risk football.

They struggled in defeats by London City Lionesses and Chelsea, having just two shots on target and less than 40% possession in both matches.

Olid felt her team were trying to do too much and had lost sight of some of their strengths, including their defensive organisation.

She urged her players to revert to what they knew before their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, which showed signs of improvement.

"The things they were good at before, they need to keep and at the same time, little by little, we need to implement our new style," Olid said before that game.

"It's trying to find this balance. Maybe they thought I would expect them to do everything in the first match but that is impossible. You need time."

That draw at Emirates Stadium was the catalyst for change at United, offering a foundation to build upon.

They had a tough start but then had a run of games against lower-ranked opposition, and two successive WSL matches at home.

The difference from their first three WSL games and their next three was stark.

They won the maximum nine points, scored six goals, conceded just two and almost doubled their possession percentage.

By returning to a more familiar defensive structure and adding in elements of Olid's new style, they began to cause more problems up front too.

Having had just 197 passes ending in the final third in their first three games, they recorded a combined 529 against West Ham, Liverpool and Charlton Athletic.

They quadrupled the number of shots they took too, going from 10 to 42 and won more duels in the air.

Perhaps the biggest changes at United have been off the pitch.

Olid explained that her side had navigated a "transitional period" and had taken part in big discussions following their 5-0 drubbing by Chelsea.

Players needed to find confidence and Olid admitted the "honest conversations" had to come up with a solution.

"The first two games were good learning for us to connect as a team and for me to know what the players needed from me," said Olid. "The players also know what I needed. It was about trying to find that balance.

"I feel now we are connected. That doesn't mean we won't have more [of those] less good days, but I think we have that understanding of each other."

Their form at the start of the season impacted individuals with vice-captain Ella Toone missing out on England selection for the first time under Sarina Wiegman.

She responded by scoring in their 3-1 win at Charlton on Sunday, while summer signing Andrea Medina has grown to become a crucial member of the squad.

The international break proved to be a valuable time for Olid to readjust to her new role, reflect on what needed to change and to spend time on the training pitch.

England defender and United captain Maya le Tissier was among those to return with renewed energy having impressed for her country during the break.

The backroom staff positions were also confirmed and Olid has been able to build a group she hopes can lead United to success going forward.

Fellow Spaniard Jose Herrera joined as assistant coach, alongside Gavin Beith, who worked with Olid at former club Hearts.

Speaking about the international break, Olid said: "I had time to re-organise everything, the roles for the new staff and how we are going to work together.

"This break, for me, was amazing. It was like a new start. It was about keeping the good energy from the last matches but then having a new start."

Now, having been on a winning run, Olid hopes the proposition of a Manchester derby on Sunday will prove to be added motivation for her players.

"I always think that before big games, you want to give confidence to the players and at the same time, you try to motivate them with the opposition," she told BBC.

"It's a derby. I think the players are always motivated, but against City, there has to be something else, no?"