Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick strengthened his case to get the job on a permanent basis following the impressive 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.
The goal for Man United this season has been to secure Champions League football for the first time since 2023-24, and they took a significant step towards achieving it following their victory in the capital.
The Red Devils knew that sixth-placed Blues could close the gap to four points with a home success, with a top-five finish guaranteeing a spot in Europe's elite club competition next term.
However, thanks to Matheus Cunha's first half goal, it was United who took all three points back to Manchester, leaving them with a 10-point advantage over Liam Rosenior's men with five games left to play.
The gap could be closed further if Everton or Sunderland taste victory on Sunday, although Carrick and his team remain firmly in pole position to get what they have been working hard for.
The 44-year-old did it against Chelsea without four senior centre-backs too, meaning the clean sheet with a make-shift centre-back pairing of Noussair Mazraoui and Ayden Heaven was even more impressive.
Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole Agree on Carrick Future
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick claps the fans
Having seen Carrick add an away win at Chelsea to his CV following triumphs against Arsenal and Manchester City at the beginning of his interim reign, TNT pundits Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole were in no doubt about what United's next move should be at the end of the season.
Speaking post-match at Stamford Bridge, Cole said it would be 'absurd' if Red Devils chiefs didn't give it to Carrick on a permanent basis, after taking 26 points from a possible 36 available as the club surged into the Champions League spots.
Hargreaves agreed with him, saying it would be 'utterly ridiculous' if he wasn't given the opportunity to take on the role full-time in 2026-27 after what he has done since replacing Ruben Amorim in January.
Is Carrick the Right Man for the Job?
Michael Carrick
It's an interesting debate with Fabrizio Romano claiming United chiefs are 'very happy' with Carrick for many reasons.
Of course, results have largely been very positive, but they are also said to be impressed with the relationships he is building at the club and with key leaders in the dressing room.
Carrick knows the pressure of playing for a club of the magnitude of United, and that experience and advice is clearly rubbing off on some of his players.
Some fans may point to the fact that there could be better options they could target, such as Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain or Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, but actually bringing them into the club and making timings work is another thing.
It would appear that both Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti could have been options before committing their futures to England and Brazil respectively, which leaves Premier League managers like Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner as some of the best names who are actually available.
The first-half performance against Leeds was certainly a cause for concern as United were dominated by the relegation-threatened Yorkshire club, but all Carrick can do is bounce back from moments like that, and that's what he did against Chelsea.
Perhaps the sensible thing to do for continuity and momentum is give Carrick his big chance.