It is now six games unbeaten for Manchester United, their longest undefeated stretch since the handover from Ruud van Nistelrooy to Ruben Amorim. How coincidental they will be in opposite dugouts today.
United's last three performances and the result against Real Sociedad this week have given supporters cause for optimism. The season is still salvageable and there will be something riding on it after the clocks go forward.
It is not quite time to clock off for the international break, though. United have beaten Leicester City three times already this season and their form is so enterprising they are expected to make it a quadruple at the Kingpower Stadium today. Here are five things to look out for:
**One change?**
Given what was at stake, United's performance against Sociedad was their best under Amorim. It built on the progressive 1-1 draws with Sociedad and Arsenal the previous week, the "way of playing" Amorim has repeatedly referenced was clearer and United won resoundingly.
Amorim has already stressed United will have to rotate and the turnaround between the kick-off times of United's matches this week is a mere 71 hours. Patrick Dorgu, instrumental on Thursday night, is suspended but Noussair Mazraoui had a fine game against Arsenal on the wing.
**Lindelof back in?**
When he was asked about Ayden Heaven, Amorim said: "If he continues like that he is going to play." He will likely play again tonight.
With Dorgu to serve the last of his three-match suspension, there is room for Victor Lindelof in the backline. Harry Maguire could make the United squad but Amorim said United have to assess the risk element.
Heaven was excellent against Sociedad
**A sharpened attack?**
United scored four goals against Sociedad and none of their front three got on the scoresheet. It is easy to see why. Alejandro Garnacho is without a goal in 24 games. Rasmus Hojlund has not scored in 21 games. Joshua Zirkzee has three goals in 24 games.
Garnacho is the youngest but possibly the biggest disappointment, having tallied eight goals in his first 20 appearances this season. The trio contributed to the crowd-pleasing performance against the Basque side and should relish coming up against the league's second-worst defensive team.
Garnacho scored in the League Cup and Premier League victories against Leicester under Van Nistelrooy, in the home dugout today.
**Climbing the table?**
Do not ever expect to hear United fans holler, "United, United 13th in the league", though their gallows humour would be admirable. That is the highest United can rise to going into the March internationals if they win and Tottenham fail to beat Fulham.
United are currently 14th
Climbing the ladder is important. Each position is worth an extra £3million and United's worst finish since they were relegated in 1974 was 13th in 1990. That is another incentive to finish above unlucky 13.
**Another Fernandes milestone?**
It went unnoticed recently that Bruno Fernandes overtook Lindelof in United's all-time appearance list. Lindelof signed in June 2017, two years and eight months before Fernandes.
Fernandes is the ultimate stats footballer in this era of that overblown phrase 'goal contributions'. It does Fernandes a disservice. His availability has been as great a strength as his creativity and today will mark his 277th appearance for United.
Luke Shaw has played 278 times for United. Shaw made his United debut in September 2014. Fernandes debuted in February 2020. To overtake Shaw would be a jaw-dropping feat for Fernandes and it is a matter of time.
When Fernandes does, he will be the most experienced player in the current United squad. The former players who have questioned his captaincy ought to know better.