Manchester United head into this afternoon’s match with Hull City looking to secure a fifth successive win in all competitions.
The champions may be without Danny Welbeck, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s win over West Ham United, while the game may come too soon for both Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie.
David Moyes’ men are currently eight points of leaders Liverpool and six off a top four spot.
Victory today could see them rise to sixth place depending on Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur’s results against Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion respectively.
Meanwhile, veteran defender Rio Ferdinand looks like he may be in the final six months of his time with the club, the Telegraph understands.
The 35 year old has featured in less than half of United’s league games this season, and could well be one of the highest profile victims as David Moyes aims to rebuild his squad going forward.
The former England international’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and his chances of a new deal look bleak with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smailling all seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, while new additions are expected, if not next month then in the summer.