So, before we dive headlong into a hectic but hopefully enthralling April and May, let’s look back at five choice cuts from August through March...

Liverpool (H) - Mikey Partington

Triumphing over our rivals from Merseyside is always special, but it was the circumstance of that victory that stands out in particular. Nine days earlier, a humbling loss at Brentford meant back-to-back defeats to start our campaign, and Erik’s reign. The response, on that Monday night at the Theatre of Dreams, was special. Despite the difficult start to the season, you could feel a vibrancy around the stadium from way in advance of kick-off, and looking back on it now, the whole evening very much feels a catalyst for what United have gone on to achieve so far this term.

Fulham (A) - Ian McLeish

There’s no question that the most visceral, full-throttle displays of the season came at home to Liverpool, City and Barcelona – simply put, matches that remind us why we love this game. Winning the League Cup was another crucial staging post on the Erik ten Hag roadmap. But I thought it worth highlighting the importance of November’s win away to Fulham, a 22/23 deep cut that maybe carries more importance than the three points it delivered. It was the last game before the protracted break for the World Cup, and it came on the back of that bruising, momentum-busting 3-1 defeat away to Villa. With seconds remaining at Craven Cottage and the scores locked on 1-1, it looked like more dropped points, six weeks of us all sulking – maybe allowing doubts to creep in – before club football kicked off again. But the brilliant last-gasp winner from Alejandro Garnacho highlighted the battling spirit of Ten Hag’s Reds and served notice of the thrilling, game-changing abilities of our latest Academy graduate. A big win in the grand scheme of things.

City (H) – Joe Nelson

Nothing beats a derby win, and this particular triumph over City stands out. I still remember my phone buzzing during the reverse fixture, while I was out hiking, as the 6-3 defeat the Etihad – and the shock of it – hammered home. However, in the Old Trafford match, my overriding emotion was euphoria. Erik ten Hag’s Reds not only toppled Pep Guardiola’s Blues, but came from behind to do it too. Yes, the offside decision for Bruno Fernandes’ equalising goal was contentious, but there was no way United were going to be beaten on that day. Old Trafford was rocking, bragging rights were restored, and the progress of Ten Hag’s side was evident.

Barcelona (A) - Mark Froggatt

The entire globe pays attention when United play Barcelona because it’s so incredibly rare. Almost a generational event. I know that sounds hyperbolic, but we’d only played 13 matches against the Catalonians before February’s trip to the Nou Camp, which is why that evening was so special. So unique. And to everyone’s delight, it lived up to the blockbuster billing in so many ways. Ten Hag’s Reds were absolutely magnificent and took the game to La Liga’s leaders. We pulled no punches and Marcus Rashford produced a performance that underlined his status as the world’s most dangerous player at that time. We let a 2-1 lead slip of course, and the home side had their chances too, but that didn’t matter one bit. It was a night of unrivalled entertainment and spectacle. One for the ages that we’ll revisit for years to come. And further evidence that Erik is driving us back towards Europe’s elite.

Barcelona (H) – Adam Marshall

Having also been at the away tie at the Nou Camp, it was a privilege to watch the Reds complete the job in the second leg. There is an understanding and appreciation that we are still very early into Erik ten Hag’s tenure but this was a proper test and gauge of where we stood in European terms. Barcelona are running away with La Liga and we could have buckled after conceding to a contentious penalty but instead, roared on in Old Trafford’s best traditions, the whole occasion felt like a throwback to our glorious past. Even the way Antony’s winner was scored, at the third bite of the cherry, only added to the excitement.