Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday afternoon was momentous for more than just the fact that the gap at the top has been closed to four points, with second placed Tottenham having put the pressure on the day before with their 4-0 win over Bournemouth.

Having twice failed to beat Antonio Conte’s side already this season, a win was a must for Jose Mourinho – not forgetting the fact he was sacked by the west Londoners last season.

Whilst the Portuguese has sat and watched his former club brush all aside and race to the top of the Premier League under Conte this season, it has been a mixed start for him in Manchester.

In the opening weeks of the season, all the hype around having a side with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic managed by the Special One looked to be paying off, with the Red Devils taking nine points from their first three games and conceding just once, they looked the real deal once again.

However, a loss to bitter rivals Manchester City, who they face in the return fixture at The Etihad next Thursday, derailed things somewhat and the problems began for Mourinho.

The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss was struggling to find the ideal system to get the best from his world-record signing, and another addition in Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasn’t even making the starting eleven.

With the problems piling up after a couple of months United’s hammering at Stamford Bridge in October marked a turning point, with the red half of Manchester having gone unbeaten in the league ever since.

However, whilst Mourinho is yet to see his side lose in the league since that humbling at his old stomping ground there has still been plenty of frustration, with far too many home draws against the likes of Bournemouth and West Brom for the liking of those in the stands.

With that in mind, the win over the side who, since January, everyone had already handed the title finally took United back to – or above – the levels of their early season form.

From Eric Bailly at the back, through to Ander Herrera’s outstanding showing in the middle and up top where the fearless Marcus Rashford got things going with his early goal, Mourinho’s men stuck to the plan all afternoon and never looked like being beaten.

Whilst their result does wonders for the neutrals looking on at the title race over the next few weeks, it can also be a huge help to their confidence going into the race for the top four and into next season.

With the Red Devils four points off fourth placed Manchester City, with a game in hand, the race for qualification can go right to the wire. Furthermore, whilst it has been a solid start for Mourinho at Old Trafford, much more will be expected of them next season, but a performance such as that on Sunday will give the staff, fans and players the boost and base they need to really press on next season.

Their win at Old Trafford may have done a lot for this season, but the effect it could have on their success next time around could be huge.