Cape Town - After a pleasing draw at Liverpool, Jose Mourinho's Manchester United are in for a tough fixture run which could make or break their season.
The Portuguese bulked up his midfield for their Anfield visit with the acquisition of Ashley Young and Maroune Fellaini alongside Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and hardworking Ander Herrera.
It seemed to pay off as a dominant first-half paved the way for strong defensive finish despite Liverpool's attempt to break the deadlock but two world class saves by David de Gea kept the score goalless.
In hindsight, leaving Anfield with a point, Mourinho's post-match reaction revealed that he was content with the result and with the way United's fixtures are looking, he should be.
The stop at their arch-rivals was the beginning of a lengthy run of games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton in the next two months.
On Thursday, United face Turkish giants Fenerbahce in a UEFA Europa League clash before heading to London for Mourinho's first visit to Stamford Bridge as United boss on Sunday.
Three days later, the Red Devils welcome cross town rivals City for a Round of 16 League Cup encounter before facing Premier League minnows Burnley.
Mourinho is likely to switch his side around more often as ever with the demands of traveling and his intent on winning the league or at least a Champions League spot when the season ends in May next year.
Manchester United's fixtures:
October 20 (Europa League) - Man United v Fenerbahce
October 23 (Premier League) - Chelsea v Man United
October 26 (League Cup) - Man United v Man City
October 29 (Premier League) - Man United v Burnely
November 3 (Europa League) - Fenerbahce v Man United
November 6 (Premier League) - Swansea City v Man United
INTERNATIONAL BREAK
November 19 (Premier League) - Man United v Arsenal
November 24 (Europa League) - Man United v Feyenoord
November 27 (Premier League) - Man United v West Ham United
December 4 (Premier League) - Everton v Man United
December 8 (Europa League) - Zorya v Man United
December 11 (Premier League) - Man United Tottenham Hotspur