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Manchester United will put their resurgence to the test against one of their more awkward opponents in recent years, as Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday (14:00 GMT).
A dogged 1-0 win at Everton on Monday night propelled the Red Devils back into the top four. A Champions League place is very much United's to lose at this stage, although they will face pressure from Liverpool and Chelsea.
As for Palace, a win over Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday in the Conference League pushed them into the knockout stage proper. However, problems off the pitch remain.
Carrick finds formula for new transfers
It has been an impressive start for Michael Carrick in the Manchester United dugout, with five wins and a draw from his first six matches in charge of this spell. In the club's history, few have fared better in the early stages of their tenure.
Carrick has won all four of his home league games in charge (one in 2021, three in 2026). Only Frank O'Farrell has won his first five home league games in charge of the Red Devils, doing so in 1971 (he won his first six).
Carrick is also yet to lose any of his seven matches managing United across two spells. Only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018–19 with 11 and Herbert Bamlett in 1927 with 10 managed to accumulate more unbeaten games at the start of their respective tenures.
United were far from their best at Hill Dickinson Stadium but showcased the determination to get through the game. When the key moments came, they were able to produce moments of quality too.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko combined to set up the latter's goal on the counter-attack. The three summer signings have settled at different speeds at Old Trafford, but Carrick appears to be getting a tune out of all of them at the moment.
Glasner seeking more Old Trafford glory
Palace face a curious end to the season. The Eagles know their head coach, Oliver Glasner, is on the way out, and there were protests against him and the board at the previous game.
Even so, they remain in European competition and, after two wins from their last three Premier League games, there appears to be no danger of the team being dragged into a relegation battle.
Old Trafford is a venue where they have performed well in recent seasons, meaning even an in-form United side may not necessarily welcome a visit from the south London club.
Palace have won four of their last six league matches at Old Trafford. On Sunday, they are looking to become just the second London side to win three consecutive away league games against Manchester United, after Chelsea between 1967–68 and 1969–70.
The match will also be a big one for former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson. He has recently been handed the Palace captaincy and stepped up last weekend to save a penalty from Tolu Arokodare.
It means Henderson has now saved a third of the Premier League penalties he has faced - five out of 15 - which is the joint-highest ratio among goalkeepers to have faced at least 15 spot-kicks. Former United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich saved six of the 18 he faced.