Manchester United moved a huge step closer to securing Champions League football for next season with a 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.
Man United and caretaker manager Michael Carrick knew they needed to immediately bounce back from Monday night's disappointing defeat to Leeds United at Old Trafford when they face Liam Rosenior's men in the capital.
It wasn't one of the Red Devils' most convincing victories ever, but it was impressive given they went into the clash without four senior centre-backs, and then kept a clean sheet.
United know that a top-five finish will be enough to guarantee a spot in the Champions League for the first time since they were eliminated in the 2023-24 campaign, and they are now 10 points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea with five games to go.
That gap could close to eight or nine points should Everton or Sunderland win respectively on Sunday, but Carrick and his men still have a comfortable cushion.
United now have a nine-day gap until their next game, when they host Brentford at the 'Theatre of Dreams' on April 27.
Bruno Fernandes Named Man of the Match in Chelsea Win
Bruno Fernandes in Premier League action for Manchester United
It has been a remarkable season for United's skipper, who picked up his 18th assist of the season at Stamford Bridge as he set Matheus Cunha up for what proved to be the winning goal in the first half.
Like many of his teammates, it wasn't the Portugal international's most effective ever performance, but he once again provided the crucial bit of magic for his team that gave them the three points.
The 31-year-old was given the man of the match award by TNT for his display, as he continues to be in strong contention to break the record for number of assists in a Premier League season, currently held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne with 20.
If United want to keep hold of players like Bruno, having Champions League football is crucial and he may have just helped them secure it with his latest assist.
Ayden Heaven Was Unlikely Man United Hero
Ayden Heaven
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo came out of the game at Stamford Bridge with many plaudits following an impressive display on his first start for 27 days, as he dominated in the centre of the pitch.
But Carrick's unlikely hero on the night was undoubtedly centre-back Ayden Heaven.
The 19-year-old was thrown into the starting XI for the first time in the Premier League since January, with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez suspended, and Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro injured.
Despite a few hairy moments early in the first half alongside Noussair Mazraoui at the heart of the defence, the teenager grew into the game and made some great challenges in the second 45 minutes.
He was part of a defence that kept an impressive clean sheet, in the circumstances, with Fernandes labelling the back four as being 'formidable' in his post-match interview.
Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Mazraoui are all experienced, seasoned performers, but for Heaven to step up and deliver the performance he did was so admirable.
He may well be needed again in the coming weeks, so Carrick will be hoping to see more of the same from him.