Much was made of what could be achieved under Jose Mourinho in his first season as Manchester United manager when he arrived last summer, however, it has not quite been the campaign many had hoped for.
The Red Devils have been struggling for the top four all season and, despite going unbeaten in the Premier League since October, and a 4-0 loss to Chelsea, the fans at Old Trafford have been put through some dull draws against sides who they should really be putting three or four past at home.
With that said, the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss has picked up the first major trophy of the season after beating Southampton 3-2 in the EFL Cup final and looks on course to go the distance in the Europa League, which would secure Champions League football for next season.
Whilst they are still sat outside the top four back home, the gap is closing and their run-in, whilst difficult, offers a fantastic chance of making up ground on those ahead of them.
Whilst Mourinho still has the Europa League to contend with, starting with a trip to Anderlecht in the quarter-finals this week, he must prepare his side for Premier League clashes with Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as a rearranged clash with EFL Cup final opponents Southampton, who were arguable the better side at Wembley.
Sandwiched in between those top of the table games are fixtures away at Burnley and Swansea as well as a season closer at home to giant killing Crystal Palace.
It is no doubt the toughest run in of any side this Premier League season, but it presents a fantastic chance for the red half of Manchester to make the leap into the top four.
Whilst the focus at Old Trafford has, as Mourinho admitted, switched to their continental commitments should United keep their undefeated league run going against the top sides, starting with a moral booster against champions elect Chelsea this coming weekend, an end of season surge into the top four is far from unrealistic.
Given the opposition faced this season, and the squad inherited, Mourinho could have done far worse in his maiden season. Losing out the chance for a treble of sorts after being knocked out of the FA Cup will have been a blow, however, a memorable finish forged by results against three quarters of the top four could make it a debut campaign to remember and put them is a fantastic position ahead of next term.