In a season of false dawns, Manchester United fans will be hoping the team can finally make some real progress.
On Tuesday, they were far from their best in a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford, but manager Ralf Rangnick would have been pleased with the way in which the team ground a victory.
Crucially, after spells of frustrating form there were goals for Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes too.