Ruben Amorim is now a long-forgotten name at Old Trafford as Manchester United continue to look like a team reborn under the new leadership of Michael Carrick.
Under the Portuguese's previous regime, the Red Devils might well have crumbled to an unwanted Premier League defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace after Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring after just five minutes of action.
Maxence-Lacroix-1
Thankfully, Carrick's side are made of much sterner stuff these days, as a mix of determination and luck - as Lacroix was controversially sent off in the second half - enabled United to collect their 14th league win of the season to move into third position in the ever-changing league standings.
Off the back of this win, Carrick now has a mightily impressive six wins under his belt from his seven-game interim stint to date, as several Red Devils players stood out during the testing match-up with Oliver Glasner's visitors.
Man United's best performers vs Crystal Palace
United no longer fold when the pressure gets to them, with Carrick guiding the top four challengers to big wins over Arsenal and Manchester City when games have been equally tense and edgy, away from just the narrow victory over Palace.
Benjamin Sesko had another afternoon to remember as United's leading marksman against the Eagles, as the number 30 emphatically headed home his opportunity deep into the second 45 minutes, to gift the Red Devils their precious 2-1 lead.
As Statman Dave put it at the final whistle, off the back of him collecting his eighth top-flight strike of the season, the Slovenian is turning into a "very reliable" source of goals for his team.
Alongside Sesko, Casemiro stood out again as a dependable figure in central midfield, as a valiant 11 duels were won, while Bruno Fernandes was his usual dangerous self throughout, collecting an assist and a goal of his own to steer United to another three points.
Bruno-Fernandes
In truth, Fernandes was exquisite throughout and with Erling Haaland nursing injury and a run of bad form, it really does feel like the Portuguese is the best player in the Premier League right now.
It's now all looking rosy for United on the pitch, but these continued excellent performances will be pushing down those stuck on the periphery even more.
Man United star looks finished under Carrick
The stand-in United boss has excelled since taking on the temporary reins by handing certain figures who were once frozen out by Amorim second chances to seriously impress.
Indeed, Kobbie Mainoo looked like he'd have to depart his boyhood club in order to gain minutes when the former Sporting boss was still occupying the dug-out. Now, he's a guaranteed starter under Carrick, having finished the slim win over Palace with a 90% pass accuracy next to his name.
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo-1
Sesko is another great example, with just two goals coming his way under Amorim, before exploding into life under a fresh set of ideas.
The Slovenian has been a man possessed in recent weeks, scoring seven goals in his last competitions. It's a remarkable turnaround but it's not great news for a particular member of the squad.
Indeed, not everyone is a winner here, with Joshua Zirkzee now surely at the end of the road of his United journey, as the former RB Leipzig counterpart looks to solidify himself as a starting regular up top, at his expense.
Sesko in 25/26 vs Zirkzee Man Utd career
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Games played
Minutes played
Goals scored
Assists
Amazingly, Sesko has already reached the Dutchman's unconvincing United goal tally, even from 43 fewer clashes, as Zirkzee is in danger of just becoming a background figure at Old Trafford, when he was once viewed as a major £36.5m investment.
Carrick hasn't taken a fancy to him since rejoining the building, either, with only 18 minutes of action handed to him by the United legend.
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Whereas, Sesko has a blistering four goals next to his name, from 173 minutes of action, as the Slovenia international prays he can continue to be the leading marksman Carrick craves, as he guides the Red Devils into the Champions League spots come the end of the season.
Past this campaign, it's hard to tell what the future holds for Zirkzee in Manchester, with a sale perhaps on the cards, to end what has been a largely disappointing stay in England.
While his future looked bleak pre-Amorim, it certainly looks even duller now that Sesko has found form at Old Trafford. With both Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo preferred as the 9s since Carrick came back, don't expect Zirkzee to start another game for United.
Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick celebrates after the match Related
[Man Utd now in pole position with talks held over signing "super" Middlesbrough starlet Carrick loves](https://www.footballfancast.com/michael-carrick-loves-him-man-utd-discussed-hayden-hackney-transfer/ "Man Utd now in pole position with talks held over signing "super" Middlesbrough starlet Carrick loves")
The Red Devils are in pole position.