The home straight of the most unusual football season in memory is almost upon us. This is a campaign that has been split into thirds. We've had the opening salvo before the World Cup, the heart of the year between late December and this international break and now all that awaits is the sprint finish.
The good news for Manchester United is that they have been getting better. When the season paused for the World Cup in mid-November they had won 14 out of their first 21 games. After losing to Brighton and Brentford in Erik ten Hag's first two matches in charge, it was a respectable recovery.
But what has happened between the season resuming and this March break has set the tone for the Dutchman's first season. Harry Maguire might be something of a forgotten club captain, having started only 12 times this season, but when he spoke to reporters after the Carabao Cup final success, he summed the narrative arc of this season up pretty well.
