For the first time this season, Manchester United will go into a Premier League match occupying a top-four position when they host Hull City on Saturday.
Louis van Gaal oversaw his first away victory as Red Devils boss last weekend as United claimed a smash-and-grab success over old rivals Arsenal.
It was a fourth win in seven games for United and took them into the Champions League qualifying berths.
Staying there will now be Van Gaal's aim, with Chelsea's quickly-established 13-point advantage having extinguished any faint hopes of a debut-season title triumph.
Hull boss Steve Bruce captained United to three championships during his nine-year spell at Old Trafford, but has spent most of his managerial career in charge of teams at the other end of the table.
It is starting to appear as though the well-fancied Tigers could be in for a nervy campaign following a third successive defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur, which saw them drop to 17th in the league.
Gaston Ramirez's needless second-half red card gave Spurs a lifeline at the KC Stadium, and Christian Eriksen would score an 89th-minute winner as Hull threw away a lead given to them by Jake Livermore.
The Lancashire outfit have only won one of their last 11 top-flight games, although Bruce may feel that his side have not had the rub of the green when it comes to refereeing decisions and injury concerns.
No team in the division has suffered more with injuries than United, though. Van Gaal is still without Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Rafael, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans for the visit of Bruce's boys.
However, the hosts have all of their most exciting attacking talents to choose from, with Radamel Falcao back in contention following a month out with a knee problem which had hampered his United career to date.
Falcao's return is expected to put pressure on the long-term place of Robin van Persie, who has only three goals in 11 games this term, but the Colombian will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench this weekend.
Youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair are in line to continue in a depleted defence, while Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia will be asked to operate as wing-backs should Van Gaal continue with 3-5-2.
Bruce may also go with three at the back as Hull seek to end a nine-match losing streak against the Manchester club with a timely victory. Former United academy graduate James Chester should be recalled.
Influential midfielder Mohamed Diame could also return after scans showed that he had not sustained a serious knee problem. Abel Hernandez may be brought in to partner Nikica Jelavic in a two-man strike force.
Man United:
Recent form: WDDLWW
Possible starting lineup: De Gea; McNair, Smalling, Blackett; Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young; Di Maria; Rooney, Van Persie
Hull:
Recent form: WDDLLL
Possible starting lineup: Harper; Chester, Dawson, Davies; Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Livermore, Diame, Robertson; Jelavic, Hernandez
Sports Mole says: 2-0
Joe Fish
