Manchester United have sparked a remarkable revival under the composed stewardship of head coach Michael Carrick.
Sixteen points from a possible 18 have propelled them into fourth place in the Premier League table, firmly re-establishing them in the UEFA Champions League conversation.
Carrick has restored the feel-good factor to the Theatre of Dreams, rekindling belief among players and supporters alike.
While some may argue that former boss Ruben Amorim laid the groundwork, the tangible impact of Carrick’s influence is now reflected boldly in the standings.
This resurgence represents far more than a simple climb from sixth to fourth place.
When Amorim departed, United were clinging to a slender one-point cushion over Brentford and Sunderland but that buffer has since ballooned to eight and 12 points respectively.
At the turn of the year, Newcastle United sat just two points behind the Red Devils, with Eddie Howe assembling a side widely tipped to overtake them.
Fast forward a few weeks, and Newcastle now trail by a commanding 12-point margin.
During this electrifying run, United have surged 11 points clear of both Everton and Fulham.
Yet the race remains alive, with Chelsea and Liverpool also rediscovering rhythm in recent weeks.
Even so, United have outpaced both rivals, steadily widening the gap.
Crucially, no side in the English top flight has amassed more points than the Red Devils since Amorim’s exit.
The rise in league position tells only part of the story. The real statement lies in how decisively United have tightened their grip on that coveted top-four spot.