Erik ten Hag has never shied away from talk of silverware and Champions League football since joining Manchester United. The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford a winner and is determined to maintain that reputation by the time he leaves.
Easier said than done, however, and not least because of the seemingly impenetrable duopoly of Liverpool and Manchester City, two of United's greatest rivals who have dominated the English game for the last five seasons. It was because of their superiority, and the new-found wealth of Chelsea and Newcastle United, that lofty expectations of those around M16 were lowered - or put on hold, at least.
But as January turns to February, that expectation has returned. City and Liverpool have stumbled, while Chelsea have spent big and improved little. United won nine games in a row before drawing against Crystal Palace and have only lost twice in the Premier League since mid-October.
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Ten Hag has often spoken about returning this great club back to where it belongs, fighting for trophies and challenging for titles - and how the club come through this most hectic of months may well see his wish materialise in season one.
"I said this is the project, to bring Man United back on top, but also we have to accept the current situation we are in," Ten Hag said back in May, after officially taking over from Ralf Rangnick. "First of all, Man United belong in the Champions League, so that will be the first target.
"Winning is the most important, but also I have the intention to do that in a certain way and in an attacking way. If we cannot do it like that, we still have to win. That is what we have to put in our team.
"For me, every game is important. We want to win every game and that has to be the attitude from everyone. Players, but also staff and all the other ones in the club. Every game is important and we will give our best every game to win and to come forward.
"I'm happy that I am here and I will give my best and I hope and I expect that I can make them proud again, that we restore Manchester United where they belong. I will give my best and I will take the decisions necessary to get there."
Seven games in a month will always present a congested schedule, never mind during a shorter February. In the 22 days between this Saturday and Sunday, February 26, United will play seven games at a rate of about one every three days.
Saturday's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace is the first of four league games and an opportunity to start a frantic month on the front foot. Ten Hag travelled to Selhurst Park last May to watch his new United side for the first time as they lost 1-0, and struggled again in January as Michael Olise's late free-kick saw spoils shared. But buoyed by Wednesday's win and with Marcel Sabitzer now available, three points are a must at Old Trafford.
United then face Leeds twice within four days, one of the more unusual consequences of the postponements that surrounded the death of the Queen in September - memories of the old 1991/1992 trilogy will resurface for those old enough to remember, an 18-day period in which the bitter rivals met three times. Competition between the two is less fierce nowadays but the disdain shared has not been diluted one bit.
Europe presents another double-header - albeit a slightly more glamorous one - as the Reds face Barcelona at the Camp Nou before welcoming them to M16 the following week. Leicester City are sandwiched between both.
And if that isn't enough make legs cramp up at the mere thought, three days after facing Xavi's Blaugrana Ten Hag will lead his side out at Wembley and attempt to bring a first trophy to the red half of Manchester since 2017.
Come February 27, United could have cemented their place in the top-four, progressed past elite opposition in Europe and secured silverware. That would be some month.
Another buzzword of Ten Hag's early weeks at United was 'project', and this season remains the start of a bigger plan. His side should be genuinely competing for league titles, and finals should not be such a rarity. But to bring a trophy back to Manchester and secure a top-four place in the first season would exceed summer expectations.
United could go a long way to doing both in February.
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