THERE have been so many corners turned at United this season that the players and staff could be forgiven for feeling a sense of dizziness. It's been a campaign of extremes and false dawns.
But there's no doubt the festive period bought renewed hope. The confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority investment into the club on Christmas Eve and then a restorative, feel-good success against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Reds fans got their presents either side of Christmas Day this year.
The manner of that win against Villa, coming with Sir Dave Brailsford sitting in the directors' box, felt positive.
There was a return to form for Marcus Rashford, a clinical edge from Alejandro Garnacho and a first Premier League goal for Rasmus Hojund. Having looked like a team in disarray at the break, the night ended with momentum firmly behind Erik ten Hag and his players.
The problem is, we've been here before and on the evidence of what this season has produced, those supporters making the trip to the City Ground on Saturday could just as easily be seeking refunds for the hope that Christmas has given them by the time 2023 comes to an end.
In United's season of boom or bust - 12 wins, 13 defeats and just two draws there have been successes that have been declared turning points before. They weren't.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ten Hag wants a £200k 'privacy wall' at Carrington
ERIK ten Hag has reportedly requested a privacy wall to be built at United's training ground, costing the club £200,000.
"There is no reason to expect any sort of statement after Sir Jim's meeting'
UNITED are yet to clarify Erik ten Hag's future following their executive meeting in London on Tuesday.
ETH says Ugarte needs time but it's hard to develop if he's not playing...
ERIK ten Hag's decision to drop the two central defenders he had worked with previously and pushed to be reunited with at Old Trafford attracted plenty of attention this week, but it wasn't his only surprising selection call.
BEV'S LOOKING TO GO CRAZY!
BEVAN French admits it will be 'a crazy feeling' if he can light up Saturday's Grand Final with another of his freakish tries.
HAALAND ON 'GABGATE' 'What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch'
STRIKER HAS ‘NO REGRETS' OVER THROWING BALL AT GAB
Root: Plenty of runs still to get
JOE Root insists there are 'many more runs left to get' overhauling Sir Alastair Cook to become England's record Test run-scorer.
'Local Retail Champions make our communities better places to live'
LOTTERY OPERATOR ‘EXCITED' TO RECOGNISE RETAILERS, SAYS ALLWYN CEO ANDRIA VIDLER
Badenoch or Jenrick to lead Conservatives
ROBERT Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch will go head-to-head in the final heat of the Conservative Party leadership contest, after James Cleverly was knocked out in the latest round of voting.
Letby told colleague of 'distress'
CHILD serial killer nurse Lucy Letby told a colleague more than a year before her arrest she was worried she had \"maybe done something wrong\" to babies, an inquiry has heard.
Idris acts to give youth a chance
IDRIS Elba has partnered with The Prince's Trust to launch a new project that aims to give a 'chance' to the young people of Manchester.
