Is the team with the longest unbeaten run in the Premier League set to rejoin the elite?; Watch Man Utd vs Man City on Super Sunday live on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm; Kick-off 4.30pm
Sunday 8 March 2020 17:27, UK
There's an old joke about the lower league manager who insists his team are only two players away from challenging for honours - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. When a coach claims that his team are only a couple of signings away from success, it makes sense to treat such talk with disdain.
But when it comes to Manchester United, could it be true?
The mood has changed at Old Trafford a little in recent weeks. A run of nine games without defeat started at Tranmere and has taken in a couple of games against Club Brugge before Thursday's night 3-0 win over Derby in the FA Cup. "That's what happens at times," said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after that victory. "You might hit a run with winnable games."
But the truth is that there have also been trips to Manchester City and Chelsea. Matches that Manchester United were not negotiating in the past. "We have found our form," added Solskjaer.
Scoff at these baby steps if you like but it's not just his best run since his days as caretaker boss. It's the longest unbeaten run of any team in the Premier League right now.
Back-to-back Premier League defeats have halted Tottenham's progress and with the club's injury crisis showing no signs of abating, there appears little imminent prospect of a dramatic upturn in form. Arsenal are feeling more optimistic but are five points adrift and must clamber their way past Burnley, Sheffield United and Wolves before catching United.
Solskjaer's side are only three points behind a Chelsea team with one win in six Premier League games. Leicester look eminently catchable too given their dismal form but given the European ban that is hanging over Manchester City, United might not have to overtake either of them to secure the return of Champions League football next season.
The failings of others have presented Manchester United with an opportunity but for the first time in a long time there is a sense that this team is finally better placed to seize it. The exasperation about the gulf to Manchester City and Liverpool remains but now there are those hoping that the direction of travel is not one way. That, in time, the gap can be closed.
United's away support is always vocal and they went through the songbook on Thursday evening in the east Midlands. As well as the expected adulation heaped upon Wayne Rooney, now Derby's captain, there was a nod to George Best and the customary chanting of Solskjaer's name. But maybe that's about the future as well as the past again now.
They chanted for Odion Ighalo too, the scorer of two goals against Derby, his second and third goals since his arrival. The former Watford man isn't world-class but he is a penalty-box poacher and his mere presence up front puts a different slant on what's happening behind him. Bruno Fernandes had his name sung too. What an impact he has made at this club.
Fernandes' contribution exposes the lie that the transfer market cannot solve some of a team's problems. The Portuguese has even inspired some rare glowing praise from Roy Keane of all people. "He has given the players a lift, the supporters a lift and he has given Ole a lift," the former captain told Sky Sports. "He has got a bit of everything about him."
The best players make others better and the recent form has prompted a rethink about Fernandes' new midfield colleagues too. Fred has been impressive in starting the last 21 Premier League games, while Nemanja Matic has confounded expectations by rediscovering the ability to run. He is another who is in the best form of his United career.
Defensively, United look relatively sound. They have conceded only twice in those nine games and Solskjaer is still annoyed about both of them. "The two we have conceded we shouldn't have conceded," he said on Thursday. "We are defending well. Clean sheets, that's massive for us." Against Derby, they didn't even need the injured Harry Maguire.
The new skipper has emerged as the solid upgrade it was anticipated he would be. Aaron Wan-Bissaka's defensive qualities are not in doubt and there are now options at left-back with Luke Shaw's newfound tactical flexibility allowing for a shift in system too.
Solskjaer has a decision to make regarding his goalkeeper but there is no bad choice there. What will shape United's future is how they approach their squad-building in the final third of the pitch. Here, the transfer market will need to provide the solutions despite the presence of Marcus Rashford and the exciting progress of Mason Greenwood.
The right side of the forward line has been an issue for many years and it is tempting to think that Jadon Sancho could have a transformative effect. Still only 19, the Borussia Dortmund winger has 14 goals in 22 Bundesliga appearances this season. If he can be persuaded to make United his next destination it would be a huge coup.
Jack Grealish, the subject of ongoing speculation, would add qualities United still lack. A genuine striker - an Ighalo for the long term - could make a difference too. Solskjaer has worked hard at turning Anthony Martial into something he is not but bringing in a natural remains the most effective way of turning those chances-to-create-chances into goals.
If all that sounds a little too hypothetical, it should at least be acknowledged that the underlying numbers offer encouragement. In fact, they suggest that Manchester United have been - by some distance - the fourth-best team in the Premier League this season.
Unlike Arsenal and Tottenham, who despite their poor positions have actually outperformed their expected goals, some of the numbers suggest that United's issues owe as much to execution as systemic issues. There are players out there who could address that.
Question marks continue to hang over Solskjaer and that is only right given the weakness of his CV. It might need another managerial change before United are back where they belong. But the team's recent form suggests that the return journey is gathering pace. Supporters are starting to sense that there are the makings of a team at Old Trafford.
"I have got good players and they are in form," said Solskjaer.
Just a few more signings? For once, that might just be true.
